Current Connecticut Standards
Content Standards
Structure and Function – How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency, stability, and survival?
Standard 7.2 Many organisms, including humans have specialized organ systems that interact with each other to maintain dynamic internal balance.
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7.2.a – All organisms are composed of one or more cells, each cell caries on life-sustaining functions.
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7.2.b – Multicellular organisms need specialized structures and systems to perform basic life functions.
This unit addresses the Connecticut Content Standards related to Structure and Function. More specifically it seeks to answer the question: How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency, stability, and survival? It addresses Connecticut Science Standard 7.2.a and 7.2.b. Some additional core science curriculum frameworks standards that could also be added include the idea that multicellular organisms need specialized structures that match their function. These specialized structures work together cooperatively to achieve the basic life functions. And a change in these structures at the basic level can impact function and a change in the network of structures can also compromise form and function. As such, I aim to connect these various components and use ideas from engineering to show how the system stabilizes and performs various tasks.
CMT Expected Performances
C INQ.9 Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
C INQ.10 Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.
C 15. Describe the basic structures of an animal cell, including nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell membrane, and how they function to support life.
C 16. Describe the structures of the human digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems, and explain how they function to bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells and expel waste materials.
C 17. Explain how the human musculo-skeletal system supports the body and allows movement.
