Benchmark A Explain that the basic functions of organisms are carried out in cells and groups of specialized cells form tissues and organs; the

6-8 Life Sciences Students demonstrate an understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with the physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling of matter and flow of energy in living systems. An understanding of the characteristics, structure and function of cells, organisms and living systems will be developed. Students will also develop a deeper understanding of the principles of heredity, biological evolution, and the diversity and interdependence of life. Students demonstrate an understanding of different historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life sciences. 25

Benchmark A Explain that the basic functions of organisms are carried out in cells and groups of specialized cells form tissues and organs; the combination of these cells make up multicellular organisms that have a variety of body plans and internal structures. 26

Benchmark: Life Science A Question type: Multiple choice Bloom: Knowledge: List Question: List in order from simplest to most complex how a multicellular organism is organized. a. Organs, tissues, specialized cells, organ systems b. specialized cells, tissues, organs, organ systems c. organ systems, tissues, specialized cells, organs d. tissues, organs, specialized cells, organ systems Rubric: B is the correct answer 27

Benchmark: Life Science A Question type: Extended response Bloom: Comprehension: Compare and Contrast Question: Compare and contrast a typical plant and a typical animal cell by using the Venn Diagram and the terms provided. Terms: Cell wall, chloroplast, cytoplasm, Endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, mitochondrion, nucleus, vacuole, Animal Plant Rubric: Correct answer: Animal: lysosome Plant: cell wall, chloroplast Both: endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, nucleus 4 points: All terms in correct areas of Venn Diagram 3 points: 6 or 7 terms in correct areas of the Venn Diagram 2 points: 4 or 5 terms in correct areas of the Venn Diagram 1 point: 2or 3 terms in correct areas of the Venn Diagram 0 Point: 1 or 0 terms in correct area of Venn Diagram 28

Benchmark: Life Science A Question type: Short answer Bloom: Comprehension: Describe Question: Complex animals exhibit two types of symmetry, radial and bilateral; describe each type of symmetry. Rubric: 2 points: An animal that has bilateral symmetry is one line can be drawn that divides it into two symmetrical halves. It has radial symmetry if any line drawn through the center divides it into two symmetrical halves. 1 point: Only get one response correct 0 point: Cannot describe symmetry 29

Benchmark B Describe the characteristics of an organism in terms of a combination of inherited traits and recognize reproduction as a characteristic of living organisms essential to the continuation of the species. 30

Benchmark: Life Science B Question type: Multiple Choice Bloom: Comprehension Question: When sex cells combine to produce offspring, each sex cell will contribute a. Half the normal number of chromosomes. b. One fourth of the normal of chromosomes. c. Twice the normal number of chromosomes d. The normal number of chromosomes. Rubric: A is the correct answer 1 point 31

Benchmark: Life Science B Question type: Short Answer Bloom: Comprehension : Distinguish Question: Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction. Rubric: 2 points: Asexual reproduction is a process by which a single organism produces a new organism identical to itself (through budding or cell division). Sexual reproduction is a process by which a new organism forms from the joining or fertilization of egg or sperm from two separate individuals. 1 point: One of the above correctly identified 0 point: Not able to explain either process 32

Benchmark: Life Science B Question type: Extended Response Bloom: Comprehension: Explain Question: A Scientist collects pet rabbits that live at sea level and moves them to the mountains. Six years later he returns to the mountain area and observes that the rabbits have much longer hair and longer legs and have developed larger lungs. Explain the reasons for this observation. Rubric: 4 points: The rabbits adapted to the environment of colder weather and less oxygen by developing larger lungs and longer hair. Longer legs developed as a response to escape from predators. Natural selection chose the traits that allowed the rabbits to survive and selected against those traits that were not suited to the new environment. 3 points: Identified 2 of the 3 adaptations and talked about natural selection or survival of the fittest. 2 points: Identified 1 if the 3 adaptations and mentioned natural selection. 1 point: Just identified adaptations or natural selection. 33

Benchmark C Explain how energy entering the ecosystems as sunlight supports the life of organisms through photosynthesis and the transfer of energy through the interactions of organisms and the environment. 34

Benchmark: Life Science C Question type: Multiple Choice Bloom: Analysis: analyze Question: A primary consumer feeds on plants. A secondary consumer feeds on planteating animals. Look at the picture below of a food web. Base your answers on the following diagram. Rubric: 1. Which organism is the producer in this food chain? a. Grass b. Mouse c. Rabbit d. deer 35

Benchmark: Life Science C Question type: Short Answer Bloom: Analysis: identify Question: Question: A primary consumer feeds on plants. A secondary consumer feeds on plant-eating animals. Look at the picture below of a food web. Base your answers on the following diagram. In this food web, the rabbit is a. Rubric: 2 points: primary consumer 1 point: consumer 0 points: incorrect response or no response 36

Benchmark: Life Science C Question type: Extended response Bloom: Knowledge: Which and Why Question: Question: A primary consumer feeds on plants. A secondary consumer feeds on plant-eating animals. Look at the picture below of a food web. Base your answers on the following diagram. A decrease in the number of owls would most likely result in an increase number of certain organisms. Which organisms would most likely increase and explain why. Rubric: 4 points: There would be an increase in mice and rabbits because of the loss of a secondary consumer, the owl. Because the owl is a predator of the mice and rabbits the population of these primary consumers would increase. 3 points: 2 correct animals and an incorrect reason or one correct animal and a correct reason. 2 points: One correct animal and an incorrect reason or one incorrect animal and a correct reason. 1 point: One correct animal or the correct reason 0 points: incorrect answer or no response 37

Benchmark D Explain how extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and its adaptive characteristics are insufficient to allow survival (as seen in evidence of the fossil record). 38

Benchmark: Life Science D Question type: Multiple Choice Bloom: Knowledge: identify Question: Most of what scientist know about extinct species is based on a. sedimentary rock b. variations c. fossil record d. natural selection Rubric: The correct answer is C 39