Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Reproduction: One Goal, Two Methods

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this interactive lesson, students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the two basic forms of reproduction. Students develop their literacy skills as they scientifically explore sexual and asexual reproduction. During this process, they read informational text, learn and practice vocabulary words (reproduction, offspring, traits, clone, genes, natural selection), and explore content through video and interactive activities.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 7

    SC15.7.2

    Gather and synthesize information to explain how prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in structure and function, including the methods of asexual and sexual reproduction.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.7.2

    Vocabulary

    • Cell
    • Prokaryotic cells
    • Eukaryotic cells
    • Structure
    • Function
    • Asexual reproduction
    • Sexual reproduction
    • Mitosis
    • Meiosis
    • Chromosome
    • DNA

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Prokaryotic cells are microscopic, single-celled organisms that have neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles.
    • Prokaryotes include the bacteria and cyanobacteria.
    • The function of prokaryotic cells.
    • The reproductive methods of prokaryotic cells.
    • Eukaryotic cells consist of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus.
    • Eukaryotes include all living organisms other than the eubacteria and archaebacteria.
    • The function of eukaryotic cells.
    • The reproductive methods of eukaryotic cells.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Obtain information about cells, including structure, function, and method of reproduction, from published, grade-level appropriate material from multiple sources.
    • Determine and describe whether the gathered information is relevant.
    • Use information to explain how prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in structure and function, as well as method of reproduction.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Structure and Function
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 7

    SC15.7.18

    Construct an explanation from evidence that natural selection acting over generations may lead to the predominance of certain traits that support successful survival and reproduction of a population and to the suppression of other traits.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.7.18

    Vocabulary

    • Explanation
    • Evidence
    • Evolution
    • Extinct
    • Extinction
    • Natural selection
    • Generation
    • Predominance
    • Heredity
    • Trait
    • Overproduction
    • Reproduction
    • Population
    • Suppression
    • Adaptation
    • Variation

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Characteristics of a species change over time (i.e., over generations) through adaptation by natural selection in response to changes in environmental conditions.
    • Traits that better support survival and reproduction in a new environment become more common within a population within that environment.
    • Traits that do not support survival and reproduction as well become less common within a population in that environment.
    • When environmental shifts are too extreme, populations do not have time to adapt and may become extinct.
    • Multiple cause-and-effect relationships exist between environmental conditions and natural selection in a population.
    • The increases or decreases of some traits within a population can have more than one environmental cause.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Articulate a statement that relates a given phenomenon to a scientific idea, including natural selection and traits.
    • Identify and use multiple valid and reliable sources of evidence to construct an explanation for natural selection and its effect on traits in a population.
    • Use reasoning to connect the evidence and support an explanation for natural selection and its effect on traits in a population.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Adaptation by natural selection acting over generations is one important process by which species change over time in response to changes in environmental conditions.
    • Traits that support successful survival and reproduction in the new environment become more common; those that do not become less common. Thus, the distribution of traits in a population changes.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Interactive/Game

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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