LS.13 The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms change over time. Key concepts include the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction; evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record; and how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms. Essential Understandings Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes The concepts developed in this standard include the following: In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will The mechanisms through which evolution takes place are a related set of interpret data from simulations that demonstrate selection for a trait processes that include mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and belonging to species in various environments. extinction. This results in changes in populations of organisms over describe how changes in the environment can bring about changes in a time. species (adaptation, extinction) through natural selection. Mutations are inheritable changes because a mutation is a change in the describe and explain how fossils are records of organisms and events DNA code. in Earth’s history. Adaptations are structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species explain the evidence for evolution from a variety of sources of to survive. scientific data. Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of the individuals in a explain how genetic variations in offspring, which lead to variations in population that exhibit the traits that best enable them to survive in their successive generations, can result from the same two parents. environment. analyze and evaluate data from investigations on variations within a A mutation may result in a favorable change or adaptation in genetic local population. information that improves a ability to exist in its environment, species’ or a mutation may result in an unfavorable change that does not improve explain how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, or impedes a ability to exist in its environment. species’ can lead to diversity of organisms. The evidence for evolution is drawn from a variety of sources of data, including the fossil record, radiometric dating, genetic information, the distribution of organisms, and anatomical and developmental similarities across species. Individuals of a population each exhibit a range of variations in a trait as a result of the variations in their genetic codes. These variations may or may not help them survive and reproduce in their environment. If a species does not include traits that enable it to survive in its environment or to survive changes in the environment, then the species may become extinct.
LS.13 The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms change over time. Key concepts include the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction; evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record; and how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms. Essential Understandings Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes The concepts developed in this standard include the following: The mechanisms through which evolution takes place are a related set of processes that include mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction. This results in changes in populations of organisms over time. Mutations are inheritable changes because a mutation is a change in the DNA code. Adaptations are structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species to survive. Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of the individuals in a population that exhibit the traits that best enable them to survive in their environment. A mutation may result in a favorable change or adaptation in genetic information that improves a species’ ability to exist in its environment, or a mutation may result in an unfavorable change that does not improve or impedes a species’ ability to exist in its environment. The evidence for evolution is drawn from a variety of sources of data, including the fossil record, radiometric dating, genetic information, the distribution of organisms, and anatomical and developmental similarities across species. Individuals of a population each exhibit a range of variations in a trait as a result of the variations in their genetic codes. These variations may or may not help them survive and reproduce in their environment. If a species does not include traits that enable it to survive in its environment or to survive changes in the environment, then the species may become extinct. In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will interpret data from simulations that demonstrate selection for a trait belonging to species in various environments. describe how changes in the environment can bring about changes in a species (adaptation, extinction) through natural selection. describe and explain how fossils are records of organisms and events in Earth’s history. explain the evidence for evolution from a variety of sources of scientific data. explain how genetic variations in offspring, which lead to variations in successive generations, can result from the same two parents. analyze and evaluate data from investigations on variations within a local population. explain how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms.