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A. The scientific theory of evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology.
B. The scientific theory of evolution is supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence.
C. Organisms are classified based on their evolutionary history.
D. Natural selection is a primary mechanism leading to evolutionary change.
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Also Assesses:
- Clarification :
Students will classify organisms based on the distinguishing characteristics of the domains and/or kingdoms of living organisms.
Students will identify and/or describe how and/or why organisms are hierarchically classified based on evolutionary relationships.
Students will identify and/or explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are classified.
Students will identify ways in which a scientific claim is evaluated (e.g., through scientific argumentation, critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative explanations).
Students will describe how scientific inferences are made from observations and identify examples from biology.
- Content Limits :
Items referring to distinguishing characteristics of living organisms are limited to the domains of Archea, Bacteria, and Eukarya and the kingdoms of Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Items will not require specific knowledge of organisms classified in any domain or kingdom; items should describe the characteristics of an organism and assess its classification.
Items may refer to prokaryotic, eukaryotic, unicellular and/or multicellular organisms, autotrophs, and/or heterotrophs, but they will not assess the definition of those terms.
Items referring to changes in classification systems should be conceptual and will not require specific knowledge of those changes.
Items may address evolutionary classification, phylogeny, and the use of cladograms, but they may not assess the definition of those terms.
Items assessing a scientific claim are limited to the classification of organisms.
- Stimulus Attributes :
Scenarios addressing scientific inferences are limited to classification. - Response Attributes :
None specified - Prior Knowledge :
Items may require the student to apply scientific knowledge described in the NGSSS from lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge of SC.6.L.15.1, SC.6.N.2.2, SC.7.N.1.6, SC.7.N.1.7, SC.7.N.2.1, and SC.8.N.1.6.
SC.912.L.15.4 Describe how and why organisms are hierarchically classified and based on evolutionary relationships.
SC.912.L.15.5 Explain the reasons for changes in how organisms are classified.
SC.912.N.1.3 Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.
SC.912.N.1.6 Describe how scientific inferences are drawn from scientific observations and provide examples from the content being studied.
- Test Item #: Sample Item 1
- Question: Organisms classified as fungi have unique characteristics. Which of the following characteristics is found only in organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi?
- Difficulty: N/A
- Type: MC: Multiple Choice
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Original Student Tutorials
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Tutorials
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
This MEA is designed to educate students about the use of classification systems and the general characteristics of vertebrates.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades 9-12
Explore the characteristics of domains and kingdoms used to classify living organisms with this interactive tutorial. You also will learn more about the reasons behind how and why this classification is done.
Learn about asexual and sexual reproduction of fungi in this interactive tutorial. This is Part 2 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 1, Basic Characteristics and Structures
Click HERE to open Part 3, Nutrition and Mutualistic Relationships
Learn about the basic characteristics and structures of fungi in Part 1 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 2, Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Click HERE to open Part 3, Nutrition and Mutualistic Relationships
Learn about the nutrition and mutualistic relationships of fungi in this interactive tutorial. This is Part 3 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 1, Basic Characteristics and Structures
Click HERE to open Part 2, Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Learn about asexual and sexual reproduction of fungi in this interactive tutorial. This is Part 2 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 1, Basic Characteristics and Structures
Click HERE to open Part 3, Nutrition and Mutualistic Relationships
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about the basic characteristics and structures of fungi in Part 1 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 2, Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Click HERE to open Part 3, Nutrition and Mutualistic Relationships
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about the nutrition and mutualistic relationships of fungi in this interactive tutorial. This is Part 3 of 3 in this series on the Structure and Function of Fungi.
Click to open Part 1, Basic Characteristics and Structures
Click HERE to open Part 2, Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the characteristics of domains and kingdoms used to classify living organisms with this interactive tutorial. You also will learn more about the reasons behind how and why this classification is done.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Tutorials
This Khan Academy video discusses the science of taxonomy and where humans fit into the tree of life.
Type: Tutorial
This Khan Academy video explains the definition of species and provides examples of animals that belong to the same species.
Type: Tutorial
This animation discusses how different organisms use cytoplasmic streaming. It further discusses the mechanism of cytoplasmic streaming in Nitella, a green alga.
Type: Tutorial
This introduction to viruses by the Khan Academy addresses the question: Are viruses alive? How viruses enter cells and replicate is discussed in detail.
Type: Tutorial
This video from the Khan Academy introduces the symbiotic relationship between the many bacteria that live inside the human body. The basics of bacteria structure, reproduction, and bacterial infections are discussed.
Type: Tutorial
This animation describes how newts and salamanders regenerate functional limbs following amputation. Following injury, undifferentiated cells from surrounding tissues differentiate to produce the lost tissues of the limb to restore it to a functional condition.
Type: Tutorial
