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Content (p. 8-24)

The GEPA Content/Skill Outlines for Macro Statements 5.1 through 5.12 are as follows:
| Systems | Problem-Solving | History of Science | Technology  | Mathematics  | Structure of Living Things | Diversity |
Matter --Properties | Matter -- Atoms | Force & Motion | Energy | Structure of the Earth | Universe | Ecology/Environment |

5.7.5.6.8.9 - DIVERSITY

I. MACRO STATEMENT

UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT ON THE VARIATION, SURVIVAL, AND EVOLUTION OF A SPECIES.


II. KNOWLEDGE STATEMENTS

A STUDENT SHOULD KNOW THAT:

A. IN SOME ORGANISMS, ALL GENES COME FROM A SINGLE PARENT.  IN ORGANISMS THAT
     HAVE SEXES, TYPICALLY HALF OF THE GENES COME FROM EACH PARENT, RESULTING IN
     VARIATIONS.

  1. Some organisms reproduce asexually resulting in an offspring that is genetically identical to the parent. Genetically identical organisms share identical characteristics.
  2. Some organisms reproduce sexually resulting in an offspring having a blend of characteristics from both parents.  Sexual reproduction involves the separation and recombination of genes, thus producing and maintaining variations.

B. IN NATURE, INDIVIDUAL ORGANISMS WITH CERTAIN TRAITS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE
     AND REPRODUCE.

  1. Traits that are beneficial to the survival of an organism tend to be passed on to the offspring.
  2. Traits that are detrimental to the survival of an organism tend not to be passed on to the offspring.

C. CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS CAN AFFECT THE SURVIVAL OF A SPECIES.

  1. Those organisms that have traits best suited to survive changes in the environment are most likely to survive and produce offspring

D. SOME CHARACTERISTICS ARE INHERITED AND OTHERS RESULT, OR ARE ACQUIRED FROM, 
     INTERACTIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

  1. Genes located in the nucleus of each cell of the organism carry information which determines inherited characteristics.
  2. Acquired characteristics cannot be passed from one generation to another.

III. SKILL STATEMENTS

TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS OUTLINED ABOVE, A STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

  • Tell, using the data in charts, graphs, and/or photos, how a trait of an organism affects its ability to survive and reproduce in that environment.
  • Conclude, given the "parentage" of an organism, how likely that organism is to be almost a duplicate of the parent or to be different from the parent.
  • Judge, from a list or description, which trait(s) of an organism may be passed on to future generations and  which is (are) acquired.