SC.7.E.6.1 –2 questions – Describe the layers of the Earth, including the lithosphere, the hot convecting mantle, and the
dense metallic liquid and solid cores.
Core is the densest layer. Lithosphere contains part of the crust and the upper mantle. Asthenosphere is the middle mantle.
Convection currents are located in the mantle. Oceanic crust is composed of mainly of basalt. Continental crust is composed
mainly of granite. Core is iron and nickel.
SC.7.E.6.2 – 2 questions – Identify the patterns within the rock cycle and relate them to surface events (weathering and
erosion) and sub-surface events (plate tectonics and mountain building).
Sedimentary rocks are formed by weathering (breakdown of rocks), erosion (transportation of sediments), deposition (the
settling/laying down of sediments), compaction and cementation. Weathering, erosion, and deposition continually break down
the surface of the earth. Sedimentary rocks contain fossils, and are normally created where there is water.
Metamorphic rocks are created by heat and pressure. They can be foliated. They are found where plates tectonics meet
(convergent, transform) as tremendous heat and pressure and necessary to create.
Igneous rocks – extrusive igneous are created through lava. Intrusive igneous rocks are created inside the volcano through
magma. Intrusive igneous contain larger crystals, while extrusive igneous rocks can contain holes.
SC.7.6.3 -2 questions – Identify current methods for measuring the age of Earth and its parts, including the law of
superposition and radioactive dating.
SC.7.E.6.4 2 questions -Explain and give examples of how physical evidence supports scientific theories that Earth has evolved
over geologic time due to natural processes
Law of Superposition – older rocks are normally found on the bottom. This gives us relative age of rock. Also use index fossils
to give us relative age.
Radioactive dating – absolute age. Using radioactive isotopes in rock which are unstable to determine the exact age of the
igneous rock.
Evaluate physical evidence to determine if it supports scientific theories that Earth has evolved, including scientific methods for
measuring geologic time.
Identify examples of and/or explain physical evidence that supports scientific theories that Earth has evolved over geologic time
due to natural processes.
Identify and describe current scientific methods for measuring the age of Earth and its parts – radioactive dating, such as carbon
14, or uranium-235 – radioactive dating only used on igneous rocks.
Analyze folding and faulting as it relates to the law of superposition – exceptions to the law – also the law of intrusions
(intrusions and extrusions are always younger than the surrounding rock).
Use the half-life of a radioactive element to find the age of a rock.
SC.7.E.6.5 – 2 questions – Explore the scientific theory of plate tectonics by describing how the movement of Earth’s
crustal plates causes both slow and rapid changes in Earth’s surface, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and
mountain building.
The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth’s tectonic plates are in constant slow motion, and that the motion is caused by
the convection currents in the manner. There are three types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform.
Convergent boundaries plates moving towards each other. Create mountains on land. (continental-continental); subduction
zones and deep-ocean trenches (continental-oceanic); volcanoes, island arcs (oceanic-oceanic) (all slow processes)
Divergent boundaries plates moving away from each other. Creates rift valleys on land; creates mid-ocean ridges at areas of
sea-floor spreading. Sea-floor spreading is responsible for new crust. Newest crust is at the center of the mid-ocean ridge.
Volcanoes are also created. (all slow processes)
Transform boundaries – plates moving side by side – creates earthquakes (quick)
SC.7.E.6.6 – (2 questions) Identify the impact that humans have had on Earth, such as deforestation, urbanization,
desertification, erosion, air and water quality, changing the flow of water.
Deforestation – cutting down the forest – leads to lack of biodiversity and extinction of species. Increased erosion and water
quality, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Urbanization – use of land for liveable homes. Paving of roads leads to increased impermeable surfaces that affects the
groundwater since rain can’t infiltrate into the aquifer. Less availability of water. More people, more activities lead to water
quality and air quality problems.
Desertification – in a prolonged drought, coupled with nutrient depletion of soil, land can turn into a desert.
*Erosion – caused by the removal of trees, grass, shrubs, etc.
Air pollution – caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which leads to climate change or global warming (increased temperatures
which will melt the glaciers and lead to sea-level rise. Also, the use of man-made aerosol cans have released chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC’s) into the atmosphere which is depleting the ozone layer in the stratosphere. The ozone layer aids us by blocking harmful
UV radiation.
Water Pollution – fertilizers and pesticides running off into bodies of water lead to eutrophication. Erosion leads to blocking
sunlight in a lake or pond, which can affect that biodiversity of the ecosystem. Oil spills kill organisms and ecosystems,
wastewater and sewage lead to water pollution in that the water is treated then is dumped into the ocean creating dead zones.
SC.7.E.6.7 – 2 questions – Recognize that heat flow and movement within Earth causes earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions and creates mountains and ocean basins. Remember the song, “plate tectonics, plate tectonics move real slow,
there’s convection in the mantle and it makes it go, hot magma rises up above, and cool rocks sink below, and it causes plate
tectonics, plate tectonics, now you know”.
SC.7.L.15.1 – 2 questions – Recognize that fossil evidence is consistent with the scientific theory of evolution that living
things evolved from earlier species.
The theory of evolution is supported by fossil record, comparative anatomy (homologous structures), embryonic development,
and DNA evidence. Remember the whale evolution lab and the skull analysis gizmo we did on evolution.
SC.7.L.15.2 – 2 questions – Explore the scientific theory of evolution by recognizing and explaining ways in which genetic
variation and environmental factors contribute to evolution by natural selection and diversity of organisms.
Evolution is change over time. Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to
survive and produce more offspring. Evolution is caused by natural selection. The 3 factors that cause natural selection are
overproduction, variation, and competition. Individuals within a species need genetic variations in order to survive sudden
changes in their environment. Remember the bird beak natural selection lab, and the moth gizmo.
SC.7.L.15.3 – 2 questions – Explore the scientific theory of evolution by relating how the inability of a species to adapt
within a changing environment may contribute to the extinction of that species.
If there are no variations within a species, and there is a sudden change in the environment, the species will become extinct.
SC.7.L.16.1 – 2 questions – Understand and explain that every organism requires a set of instructions that specifies its
traits, that this hereditary information (DNA) contains genes located in the chromosomes of each cell, and that heredity is
the passage of these instructions from one generation to another.
Cell -> nucleus -> chromosomes -> DNA molecule -> genes -> nitrogen bases
Heredity is the passing of hereditary information from parent(s) to offspring. Chromosomes from the mother and father combine
during fertilization (joining of sperm and egg); the offspring inherits the genes of their traits through the chromosomes.
Chromosomes contain the instructions that determine a person’s traits.
SC.7.L.16.2 – 2 questions – Determine the probabilities for genotype and phenotype combinations using Punnett Squares
and pedigrees.
Know how to do the Punnett Square! If you still do not know how to do this, PLEASE come see me! Heterozygous means
hybrid or different, such as Aa. Homozygous means same or purebred, such as aa or AA. The two allele combination (AA, Aa,
or aa) is the genotype or genetic makeup. They should be the same letter! The phenotype is the trait it is determining, such as
eye color, or widow’s peak.
Brown eyes is dominant over blue eyes (recessive). A heterozygous father with brown eyes (Bb) has a child with a homozygous
mother with blue eyes (bb). This couple has a 50% chance of having a baby with brown eyes, and 50% chance of having a baby
with blue eyes,
2 heterozygous parents with brown eyes (Bb) will have a 75% chance of having a child with brown eyes and 25% chance of
having a child with blue eyes.
SC.7.L.16.3 – 2 questions – Compare and contrast the general processes of sexual reproduction requiring meiosis and
asexual reproduction requiring mitosis.
Mitosis – asexual reproduction/offspring has same DNA as parent/ 1 parent/offspring looks identical to parent
Meiosis- sexual reproduction/offspring has different DNA than parents/2 parents/offspring look different than parents
An advantage of sexual reproduction (meiosis) is that there is greater genetic diversity to the offspring. A disadvantage is that the
parents have to find a mate and the development of the offspring takes a longer time. An advantage of asexual reproduction is
that the parent can quickly produce many identical offspring. A disadvantage is that there is no genetic variability. Hereditary
information is passed from one generation to the next. The two processes are responsible for the passage of hereditary
information from generation to generation in mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, etc. are meiosis and fertilization.
SC.7.L.16.4 – 2 questions – recognize and explore the impact of biotechnology (cloning, genetic engineering, artificial
selection) on the individual, society and the environment.
Cloning describes the processes used to create an exact genetic replica of another cell, tissue or organism. The copied material,
which has the same genetic makeup as the original, is referred to as a clone. The most famous clone was a Scottish sheep named
Dolly.
There are three different types of cloning:

Gene cloning, which creates copies of genes or segments of DNA

Reproductive cloning, which creates copies of whole animals

Therapeutic cloning, which creates embryonic stem cells. Researchers hope to use these cells to grow healthy tissue to
replace injured or diseased tissues in the human body.
Genetic engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism. The goal is to add one or more new traits that
are not already found in that organism. Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an
organism's genome using biotechnology. New DNA may be inserted in the host genome by first isolating and copying the genetic
material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence, or by synthesizing the DNA, and then
inserting this construct into the host organism. Genes may be removed, or "knocked out", using a nuclease. An organism that is
generated through genetic engineering is considered to be a genetically modified organism (GMO). The first GMOs were bacteria
generated in 1973 and GM mice in 1974. Insulin-producing bacteria were commercialized in 1982 and genetically modified food
has been sold since 1994. Glofish, the first GMO designed as a pet, was first sold in the United States December in 2003.[1]
Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including research, agriculture, industrial biotechnology,
and medicine. Enzymes used in laundry detergent and medicines such as insulin and human growth hormone are now
manufactured in GM cells, experimental GM cell lines and GM animals such as mice or zebrafish are being used for research
purposes, and genetically modified crops have been commercialized
Gene therapy is the genetic engineering of humans, generally by replacing defective genes with effective ones. This can occur in
somatic tissue or germline tissue.
Somatic gene therapy has been studied in clinical research in several diseases, including X-linked SCID,[78] chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL),[79] and Parkinson's disease.[80] In 2012, Glybera became the first gene therapy treatment to be approved for
clinical use in either Europe or the United States after its endorsement by the European Commission.[81][82]
With regard to germline gene therapy, the scientific community has been opposed to attempts to alter genes in humans in
inheritable ways using biotechnology since the technology was first introduced,[83] and the caution has continued as the
technology has progressed.[84] With the advent of new techniques like CRISPR, in March 2015 scientists urged a worldwide ban
on clinical use of gene editing technologies to edit the human genome in a way that can be inherited.[85][86][87][88] In April 2015,
Chinese researchers sparked controversy when they reported results of basic research experiments in which they edited the DNA
of non-viable human embryos using CRISPR.[89][90]
There are also ethical concerns should the technology be used not just for treatment, but for enhancement, modification or
alteration of a human beings' appearance, adaptability, intelligence, character or behavior.[91] The distinction between cure and
enhancement can also be difficult to establish.[92] Transhumanists consider the enhancement of humans desirable.
Critics have objected to use of genetic engineering per se on several grounds, including ethical concerns, ecological concerns,
and economic concerns raised by the fact GM techniques and GM organisms are subject to intellectual property law. GMOs also
are involved in controversies over GM food with respect to whether food produced from GM crops is safe, whether it should be
labeled, and whether GM crops are needed to address the world's food needs. See the genetically modified food controversies
article for discussion of issues about GM crops and GM food. These controversies have led to litigation, international trade
disputes, and protests, and to restrictive regulation of commercial products in some countries.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells characterized by the ability to self-renew by mitosis while in undifferentiated state, and the
capacity to give rise to various differentiated cell types by cell differentiation.
(2) A cell that has not yet acquired a special function.
Supplement
Stem cells give rise to various cells when they acquire special function through a process called cellular differentiation. They are
found in fetuses, embryos, and certain adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells may differentiate into all of the
specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells act as a repair system replacing tissues damaged by disease or
injury. They also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs such as blood, skin, and intestinal tissues.
Stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, can now be grown in vitro for use in research or in medicine, although, their use
remains controversial.
SC.7.L.17.1 – 2 questions – Explain and illustrate the roles of and relationships among producers, consumers, and
decomposers in the process of energy transfer in a food web.
Know how to read a food web – what the arrow that it points to represents. Producers make their own food using the sun’s
energy and photosynthesis. These include the plants. The consumers include herbivores, which eat the producers; omnivores,
which eat plants and animals; and carnivores, which eat only other animals; and scavengers, which eat the tissues of dead
animals. Decomposers, such as bacteria, and fungi break down dead material into nutrients. Primary consumers eat the
producers; secondary consumers eat the primary consumers, etc. The top level in an energy pyramid is the top predator(s). There
are only a few of these since there is not a lot of energy available to them. Energy decreases as it moves up an energy pyramid.
SC.7.L.17.2 – 2 questions – Compare and contrast the relationship among organisms such as mutualism, predation,
parasitism, competition, and commensalisms.
3 types of symbiosis: mutualisms – where both organisms benefit; commensalism – where one organism benefits and the other is
neither harmed nor benefitted; parasitism – where one organism benefits while the other organisms is harmed.
Predation – where one organism preys on another organism. Predator – the organism that is attacking. Prey – the organism that
is attacked.
SC.7.L.17.3 – 2 questions – Describe and investigate various limiting factors in the local ecosystem and their impact on
native populations, including food, shelter, water, space, disease, parasitism, predation, and nesting sites.
For this benchmark – know what a limiting factor is – things that prevent a population from growing larger. Remember that each
population has a carrying capacity – the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely,
given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment. Most ecosystems will reach equilibrium and
will go back to equilibrium even if something upsets the population (remember the prairie ecosystem gizmo). Know how the
population of a species will change (increase or decrease) if the underlined factors in the benchmark above are changed.
SC.7.N.1.1 – 1 question - Define a problem from the seventh grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to
support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic
observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics,
analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
Know how to set up an experiment, how to identify variables in a scientific experiment; interpret charts, tables, and graphics, etc.
SC.7.N.1.2 – 1 question – Differentiate replication (by others) from repetition (repeating trials).
SC.7.N.1.3 – 1 question – Distinguish between an experiment (which must involve the identification and control variables)
an other forms of scientific investigation and explain that not all scientific knowledge is derived from experimentation.
SC.7.N.1.4 – 1 question – Identify test variables (independent variables) and outcome variables (dependent variables) in
an experiment.
Independent variable is the one the investigator changes on purpose. The dependent variable is the result of the experiment.
SC.7.P.10.1 – Illustrate that the sun’s energy arrives as radiation with a wide range of wavelengths, including infrared,
visible, and ultraviolet, and that white light is made up of many different colors.
Know the electromagnetic spectrum in order. Know what has the highest frequency and short. (longest wavelength and the
shortest) Know the relationship between wavelength and frequency. The longer the wavelength – the shorter the frequency and
vice-versa. Know that visible light includes ROY G BIV with red having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest
wavelength. Know the anatomy of a wave and how to identify amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.
SC.7.P.10.2 – 2 questions – Observe and explain that light can be reflected, refracted, and or/absorbed.
Refraction is the bending of light. With refraction, objects can appear larger or smaller. Lenses work through refraction.
Reflection – when light bounces off a surface like a mirror. Two types of reflection: regular and diffuse.
Absorption – light is absorbed. When we see an apple as red, it’s because all other colors are absorbed and the red is reflected.
A rainbow is caused by the refraction of light through water droplets.
SC.7.P.10.3 – 1 question – Recognize that light waves, sound waves, and other waves move at different speeds in different
materials.
2 types of waves – electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves. EM waves travel through mediums and through space
(vacuum). Examples of mechanical waves are seismic waves, ocean waves and sound waves. Most waves with the exception of
sound waves, travel fastest in space (or a vacuum) and slowest in solid. Sound waves travel fastest in a solid and slowest in a
gas.
SC.7.P.11.1 – 1 Recognize that adding heat to or removing heat from a system may result in a temperature change and
possibly a change in state.
Remember when adding heat the particles move faster (increased kinetic or thermal energy). When removing heat, the particles
move slower (decrease kinetic or thermal energy).
SC.7.P.11.2 – 2 questions – Investigate and describe the transformation of energy from one form to another.
Chemical energy – food, fuel, gasoline, battery; electrical energy – from power source; potential – gravity, spring or
compressional, head of a match is potential chemical; mechanical is potential + kinetic; sound energy; thermal energy (friction) –
SC.7.P.11.3 – 2 questions – Cite evidence to explain that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only changed from one
form to another.
Law of conservation of energy – if you see a question states that energy is increased or decreased it’s wrong since energy cannot
be created nor destroyed.
SC.7.P.11.4 – 2 questions – observe and describe that heat flows in predictable ways, moving from warmer objects to
cooler ones until they reach the same tempretare.