SC15.7.13

Science (2015) Grade(s): 7

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Cause and Effect

Students know:

Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of gene.
Genes control the production of proteins.
Proteins affect the structures and functions of the organism, thus changing traits.
Genetic information can be altered because of mutations.
Mutations, though rare, can result in changes to the structure and function of proteins.
Mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or have neutral effects on organisms.

Students are able to:

Articulate a statement that relates a given phenomenon to a scientific idea, including the relationship between mutations and the effects on organisms.
Identify and use multiple valid and reliable sources of evidence to construct an explanation that structural changes to genes (i.e., mutations) may result in observable effects at the level of the organism.
Use reasoning to connect the evidence and support an explanation that beneficial, neutral, or harmful changes to protein function can cause beneficial, neutral, or harmful changes in the structure and function of organisms.

Students understand that:

Mutations are the result of changes in genes which may affect protein production and, in turn, affect traits.
Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have neutral effects on organisms.