Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.1.4.CS:
Examples of behaviors that affect the probability of animal reproduction could include nest building to protect young from cold, herding of animals to protect young from predators, and vocalization of animals and colorful plumage to attract mates for bree

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP7.3:
Use an oral and written argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support or refute an explanation or a model for a phenomenon or a solution to a problem.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.1.4.DCI:
LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms •Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that increase the odds of reproduction. •Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal behavior and specialized features for reproduction.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.6:
Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability.

Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.1.5.CS:
Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include dr

Assessment Boundary - S.MS.LS.1.5.AB:
Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, biochemical processes, or natural selection.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP6.3:
Construct a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own experiments) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and wil

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.1.5.DCI:
LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms •Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growthof the adult plant.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.6:
Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability.

Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.3.1.CS:
Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.

Assessment Boundary - S.MS.LS.3.1.AB:
Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP2.3:
Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.3.1.DCI:
LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits •Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits. LS3.B: Variation of Traits •In addition to variations that arise from sexual reproduction, genetic information can be altered because of mutations. Some changes are beneficial, others harmful, and some neutral to the organism. •(NYSED) Mutations may result in changes to the structure and function of proteins.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC4.4:
Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.

Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.3.2.CS:
Emphasis is on using models such as Punnett squares, diagrams, and simulations to describe the cause and effect relationship of gene transmission from parent(s) to offspring.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP2.3:
Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.3.2.DCI:
LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms •Organisms reproduce, either sexually or asexually, and transfer their genetic information to their offspring. (secondary to MS-LS3-2) LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits •Variations of inherited traits between parent and offspring arise from genetic differences that result from the subset of chromosomes (and therefore genes) inherited. LS3.B: Variation of Traits •In sexually reproducing organisms, each parent contributes half of the genes acquired (at random) by the offspring. Individuals have two of each chromosome and hence two alleles of each gene, one acquired from each parent. These versions may be identical or may differ from each other.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.5:
Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.

Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.4.5.CS:
Emphasis is on synthesizing information from reliable sources about the influence of humans on genetic outcomes in artificial selection (such as genetic modification, animal husbandry, gene therapy); and, on the impacts these technologies have on society.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP8.1:
Gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication and methods used, and describe how they are supported or not supported by evidence.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.4.5.DCI:
LS4.B: Natural Selection •In artificial selection, humans have the capacity to influence certain characteristics of organisms by selective breeding. One can choose desired parental traits determined by genes, which are then passed on to offspring.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.6:
Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability.