Benchmark 5F
The Living Environment: Evolution of Life
Grades 9-12, page 125
Heritable characteristics can be observed at molecular and whole- organism
levels--in structure, chemistry, or behavior. These characteristics strongly
influence what capabilities an organism will have and how it will react,
and therefore influence how likely it is to survive and reproduce.
NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: Regulation and behavior
Grades 5-8, page 157
An organism's behavior evolves through adaptation to its environment.
How a species moves, obtains food, reproduces, and responds to danger are
based in the species' evolutionary history.
NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Grades 5-8, page 158
Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed
through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of
their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves
the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological
adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that
enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.
NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: The molecular basis of heredity
Grades 9-12, page 185
Changes in DNA (mutations) occur spontaneously at low rates. Some of
these changes make no difference to the organism, whereas others can change
cells and organisms. Only mutations in germ cells can create the variation
that changes an organism's offspring.
NSES Content Standard C
Life Science: The behavior of organisms
Grades 9-12, page 187
Like other aspects of an organism's biology, behaviors have evolved
through natural selection. Behaviors often have an adaptive logic when
viewed in terms of evolutionary principles.
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