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 describe scientific explanations of the origin of life on Earth.
Students will identify situations or conditions contributing to the origin of life on Earth.
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 assess the reliability of sources of information according to scientific standards.
Students will identify what is science, what is not science, and what resembles but fails to meet the criteria for science.
- Content Limits :
Items may address the conditions required for the origin of life on Earth but may not require specific knowledge of the age of Earth or its eras, periods, or epochs.
Items may assess how contributions of scientists such as Pasteur, Oparin, Miller and Urey, Margulis, or Fox aided in the development of the scientific explanation of the origin of life but will not assess what each scientist contributed.
Items assessing the origin of organic molecules, chemical evolution, and/or eukaryotic cells should be conceptual.
Items may refer to the endosymbiotic theory but may not assess the term in isolation.
Items assessing a scientific claim are limited to the scientific explanations of the origins of life on Earth.
- Stimulus Attributes :
None specified - 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.8.L.18.1, SC.7.E.6.3, SC.7.E.6.4, SC.6.E.7.9, SC.6.N.2.1, SC.6.N.2.2, SC.7.N.1.7, SC.7.N.2.1, SC.8.N.2.1, and SC.8.N.2.2.
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.1.4 Identify sources of information and assess their reliability according to the strict standards of scientific investigation.
SC.912.N.2.1 Identify what is science, what clearly is not science, and what superficially resembles science (but fails to meet the criteria for science).
- Test Item #: Sample Item 1
- Question: One of the accepted scientific theories describing the origin of life on Earth is known as chemical evolution. According to this theory, which of the following events would need to occur first for life to evolve?
- Difficulty: N/A
- Type: MC: Multiple Choice
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Tutorial
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades 9-12
Learn how to identify and describe the leading scientific explanations of the origin of life on Earth.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorial
Learn how to identify and describe the leading scientific explanations of the origin of life on Earth.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Tutorial
The theory of endosymbiosis suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living, small prokaryotes that were taken up by larger prokaryotes. It also describes how a large host cell and ingested bacteria could easily become dependent on one another for survival, resulting in a permanent relationship. This tutorial will help the learners to understand the process of endosymbiosis.
Type: Tutorial