Life Science: Characteristics and Growth of Organisms
Scientists have identified and classified many types of plants and animals. Each plant or animal has a unique pattern of growth and development called a life cycle. Some characteristics (traits) that organisms have are inherited and some result from interactions with the environment. Plants and animals have physical characteristics that allow them to receive information from the environment. Structural adaptations within groups of plants and animals allow them to better survive and reproduce.
Standard 4.L.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the structural characteristics and traits of plants and animals allow them to survive, grow, and reproduce.
4.L.5A.1 Obtain and communicate information about the characteristics of plants and animals to develop models which classify plants as flowering or nonflowering and animals as vertebrate or invertebrate.
4.L.5A.2 Analyze and interpret data from observations and measurements to compare the stages of development of different seed plants.
4.L.5A.3 Develop and use models to compare the stages of growth and development in various animals.
4.L.5A.4 Construct scientific arguments to support claims that some characteristics of organisms are inherited from parents and some are influenced by the environment.
4.L.5B.1 Develop and use models to compare how humans and other animals use their senses and sensory organs to detect and respond to signals from the environment.
4.L.5B.2 Construct explanations for how structural adaptations (such as the types of roots, stems, or leaves; color of flowers; or seed dispersal) allow plants to survive and reproduce.
4.L.5B.3 Construct explanations for how structural adaptations (such as methods for defense, locomotion, obtaining resources, or camouflage) allow animals to survive in the environment.