Middle Level Science (Grades 5–8) Subtest 2

Subarea 1. Life Science

0008

Understand the structures and functions of living organisms.

demonstrating knowledge of the macroscopic structure of a given common organism
demonstrating knowledge of the structure of a plant or animal organ system and the functions of those organ systems
demonstrating knowledge of processes used by common organisms (e.g., flowering and nonflowering plants, bacteria, mammals, amphibians) to sustain life
recognizing how the structure and function of the components of a living system (e.g., coral reef, estuary, forest, grassland) support the overall function of that system
analyzing how and why the structures (e.g., skeletal system, respiratory system) for a given function are different in different species
recognizing the origins, transmission, prevention, management, or cures for human diseases (e.g., heart disease, malaria, common cold)
demonstrating knowledge of how a given immunity is established and how a given active or passive immunity functions in a human

0009

Understand molecular and cellular life processes.

demonstrating knowledge of the cellular structures and related functions of different types of plant and animal cells, including the structural and functional differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
demonstrating knowledge of how plants transform energy from the sun into food through the process of photosynthesis and how energy stored in food molecules is released through cellular respiration
demonstrating knowledge of the cellular processes of DNA replication and protein synthesis
recognizing how the structures of different types of cells relate to their functions in tissues and organ systems
recognizing the stages of mitosis and meiosis and their roles in growth and reproduction
analyzing the inheritance of genetic traits and how sex is determined in plants and animals
recognizing how genetic changes (i.e., mutations) are expressed as traits (i.e., phenotypes) and the role these changes play in biological evolution

0010

Understand the diversity and biological evolution of life.

analyzing the physical and behavioral adaptations that can occur in a given common species in response to environmental stresses
recognizing the factors (e.g., geographic location, climate, natural and human-caused disturbances, invasive species) that affect species diversity in different ecosystems
demonstrating knowledge of the niches and habitats of common species in different ecosystems in the world's major biomes
analyzing the process of speciation (e.g., geographic isolation, founder effect, adaptive radiation) in living populations and the fossil record
identifying organisms using a classification key

0011

Understand the interdependence among living things and the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems.

demonstrating knowledge of factors that influence the diversity and number of species in a given ecosystem
analyzing species interactions and interdependence in ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs, grasslands, rain forests, estuaries)
demonstrating knowledge of the biotic and abiotic components of a given niche, habitat, ecosystem, or biome
analyzing the cycling of matter and the flow of energy in a given ecosystem, and the structure of food webs in different ecosystems, including the roles of decomposers, producers, and consumers
recognizing how environmental changes in an organism's habitat can elicit a specific behavioral response in the organism