7th Grade Science Guide

7.4: Reproduction & Inheritance 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 5

STANDARD ● 7.4.3 Develop and use a model to describe why genetic mutations may result in harmful, benefcial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism. Emphasize the conceptual idea that changes to traits can happen because of genetic mutations. Specifc changes of genes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, and specifc types of mutations will be introduced at the high school level. (MS-LS3-1)

CONCEPTS

SKILLS

● Genetic mutation

● Develop a model to describe

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS

● Genes are located on chromosomes ● Genes tell the body to create certain proteins ● Every protein has a certain structure, and those proteins help our bodies to function properly ● If a gene mutates, it can impact the type of protein being made ● This mutation can be harmful, benefcial or neutral

VOCABULARY ● Genetic

● Trait ● Gene ● DNA

● Environment ● Offspring ● Chromosome

● Mutations ● Protein ● Organism

POSSIBLE PHENOMENA ● Some individuals are born colorblind and cannot tell the difference between the colors red and green. ● A baby was born with two thumbs on one hand. This trait was not inherited (or passed down) from parents. ● Triple-crown winning horse Secretariat had a fully functional 22-pound heart. The average weight of a horse heart is nine pounds.

END OF UNIT COMPETENCY WITH LANGUAGE SUPPORTS ● I can create a model to show how mutations can be harmful, helpful, or neither. ○ Language Supports

■ Nouns to introduce concepts (harmful, benefcial, neutral, no effect, etc.) ■ Word choices to moderate stance (usually, could/might, a possibility, etc.) ■ Conditional clauses (if/then, as a result of, therefore, to be more specifc, instead of, however, etc.)