4th Marking Period
Unit 3- Evolution & traits of organisms
Content Statements and Expectations
L.HE.M.1 Inherited and Acquired Traits – The characteristics of organisms are influenced by heredity and
environment. For some characteristics, inheritance is more important; for other characteristics, interactions
with the environment are more important.
L.HE.05.11 Explain that both the environment and the genetics of the individual influence the traits of an individual.
L.HE.05.12 Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits.
L.EV.M.1 Species Adaptation and Survival – Species with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments. When an environment changes, the advantage or disadvantage of the species’ characteristics can change. Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the characteristics of aspecies are insufficient to allow survival.
L.EV.05.11 Explain how behavioral characteristics (adaptation, instinct, learning, habit) of animals help them to survive in their
environment.
L.EV.05.12 Describe the physical characteristics (traits) of organisms that help them to survive in their environment.
L.EV.05.13 Describe how fossils provide evidence about how living things and environmental conditions have changed.
L.EV.05.14 Analyze the relationship of environmental change and catastrophic events (for example: volcanic eruption, floods,
asteroid impact, tsunami) to species extinctions.
L.EV.M.2 Relationships Among Organisms – Similarities among organisms are found in anatomical features, which can be used to
infer the degree of relatedness among organisms. In classifying organisms, biologists consider details of internal and external structures to be more important that behavior and general appearance.
L.EV.05.21 Relate the degree of similarity in anatomical features to the classification of contemporary organisms.
L.HE.M.1 Inherited and Acquired Traits – The characteristics of organisms are influenced by heredity and
environment. For some characteristics, inheritance is more important; for other characteristics, interactions
with the environment are more important.
L.HE.05.11 Explain that both the environment and the genetics of the individual influence the traits of an individual.
L.HE.05.12 Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits.
L.EV.M.1 Species Adaptation and Survival – Species with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments. When an environment changes, the advantage or disadvantage of the species’ characteristics can change. Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the characteristics of aspecies are insufficient to allow survival.
L.EV.05.11 Explain how behavioral characteristics (adaptation, instinct, learning, habit) of animals help them to survive in their
environment.
L.EV.05.12 Describe the physical characteristics (traits) of organisms that help them to survive in their environment.
L.EV.05.13 Describe how fossils provide evidence about how living things and environmental conditions have changed.
L.EV.05.14 Analyze the relationship of environmental change and catastrophic events (for example: volcanic eruption, floods,
asteroid impact, tsunami) to species extinctions.
L.EV.M.2 Relationships Among Organisms – Similarities among organisms are found in anatomical features, which can be used to
infer the degree of relatedness among organisms. In classifying organisms, biologists consider details of internal and external structures to be more important that behavior and general appearance.
L.EV.05.21 Relate the degree of similarity in anatomical features to the classification of contemporary organisms.
Big Ideas (Key Concepts)
• Traits are influenced by both genetics of the individual and the environment.
• Traits can be classified as either inherited or acquired.
• Each organism (plants and animals) has specific behavioral and physical characteristics allowing it to better survive in a given
environment.
• As environments change over time, these characteristics may change (adaptations) to allow them to continue to survive or flourish
in their environment.
• Fossils provide evidence that life forms have changed over time and were influenced by changes in environmental conditions
including catastrophic events.
• Organisms that are similar in anatomical structures are more likely to be more closely related than those whose structures are
less similar to one another.
• Traits are influenced by both genetics of the individual and the environment.
• Traits can be classified as either inherited or acquired.
• Each organism (plants and animals) has specific behavioral and physical characteristics allowing it to better survive in a given
environment.
• As environments change over time, these characteristics may change (adaptations) to allow them to continue to survive or flourish
in their environment.
• Fossils provide evidence that life forms have changed over time and were influenced by changes in environmental conditions
including catastrophic events.
• Organisms that are similar in anatomical structures are more likely to be more closely related than those whose structures are
less similar to one another.