design scientific investigations (e.g., observing, describing, and comparing; collecting samples; seeking more information, conducting a controlled experiment; discovering new objects or phenomena; making models)
use and interpret graphs and data tables
Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient to permit its survival. Extinction of species is common. Fossils are evidence that a great variety of species existed in the past.
Cells are organized for more effective functioning in multicellular organisms. Levels of organization for structure and function of a multicellular organism include cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
Most cells have cell membranes, genetic material, and cytoplasm. Some cells have a cell wall and/or chloroplasts. Many cells have a nucleus.
Disease breaks down the structures or functions of an organism. Some diseases are the result of failures of the system. Other diseases are the result of damage by infection from other organisms (germ theory). Specialized cells protect the body from infectious disease. The chemicals they produce identify and destroy microbes that enter the body.
Locomotion, necessary to escape danger, obtain food and shelter, and reproduce, is accomplished by the interaction of the skeletal and muscular systems, and coordinated by the nervous system.
The excretory system functions in the disposal of dissolved waste molecules, the elimination of liquid and gaseous wastes, and the removal of excess heat energy.
During respiration, cells use oxygen to release the energy stored in food. The respi- ratory system supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide (gas exchange).
Hereditary information is contained in genes. Genes are composed of DNA that makes up the chromosomes of cells.
The processes of sexual reproduction and mutation have given rise to a variety of traits within a species.
In multicellular organisms, cell division is responsible for growth, maintenance, and repair. In some one-celled organisms, cell division is a method of asexual reproduction.
The digestive system consists of organs that are responsible for the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. The breakdown process results in molecules that can be absorbed and transported to cells.
The environment may be altered through the activities of organisms. Alterations are sometimes abrupt. Some species may replace others over time, resulting in long- term gradual changes (ecological succession).
Water circulates through the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere in what is known as the water cycle.
Cancers are a result of abnormal cell division.
Herbivores obtain energy from plants. Carnivores obtain energy from animals. Omnivores obtain energy from both plants and animals. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, obtain energy by consuming wastes and/or dead organisms.
A population consists of all individuals of a species that are found together at a given place and time. Populations living in one place form a community. The commu- nity and the physical factors with which it interacts compose an ecosystem.
In ecosystems, balance is the result of interactions between community members and their environment.
Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun and the Moon in orbit around the Earth.
Moons are seen by reflected light. Our Moon orbits Earth, while Earth orbits the Sun. The Moon’s phases as observed from Earth are the result of seeing different por- tions of the lighted area of the Moon’s surface. The phases repeat in a cyclic pattern in about one month.
Nearly all the atmosphere is confined to a thin shell surrounding Earth. The atmos- phere is a mixture of gases, including nitrogen and oxygen with small amounts of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases. The atmosphere is stratified into layers, each having distinct properties. Nearly all weather occurs in the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
The process of weathering breaks down rocks to form sediment. Soil consists of sediment, organic material, water, and air.
The latitude/longitude coordinate system and our system of time are based on celestial observations.
The tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation and the revolution of Earth around the Sun cause seasons on Earth. The length of daylight varies depending on latitude and season.
Gases have neither a determined shape nor a definite volume. Gases assume the shape and volume of a closed container.
Plates may collide, move apart, or slide past one another. Most volcanic activity and mountain building occur at the boundaries of these plates, often resulting in earth- quakes.
The Sun and the planets that revolve around it are the major bodies in the solar sys- tem. Other members include comets, moons, and asteroids. Earth’s orbit is nearly circular.
Continents fitting together like puzzle parts and fossil correlations provided initial evidence that continents were once together.
Substances enter the atmosphere naturally and from human activity. Some of these substances include dust from volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These substances can affect weather, climate, and living things.
Substances have characteristic properties. Some of these properties include color, odor, phase at room temperature, density, solubility, heat and electrical conductivity, hardness, and boiling and freezing points.
use appropriate scientific tools to solve problems about the natural world
During a physical change a substance keeps its chemical composition and proper- ties. Examples of physical changes include freezing, melting, condensation, boiling, evaporation, tearing, and crushing.
Energy can be considered to be either kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion, or potential energy, which depends on relative position.
Light passes through some materials, sometimes refracting in the process. Materials absorb and reflect light, and may transmit light. To see an object, light from that object, emitted by or reflected from it, must enter the eye.
Vibrations in materials set up wave-like disturbances that spread away from the source. Sound waves are an example. Vibrational waves move at different speeds in different materials. Sound cannot travel in a vacuum.
Force is directly related to an object’s mass and acceleration. The greater the force, the greater the change in motion.
Machines transfer mechanical energy from one object to another.
Without direct contact, a magnet attracts certain materials and either attracts or repels other magnets. The attractive force of a magnet is greatest at its poles.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
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