Life Science
Living Systems
5.5 The student will investigate and understand that organisms are made of one or more cells and have distinguishing characteristics that play a vital role
in the organism’s ability to survive and thrive in its environment. Key concepts include
a) basic cell structures and functions;
b) classification of organisms using physical characteristics, body structures, and behavior of the organism; and
c) traits of organisms that allow them to survive in their environment.
in the organism’s ability to survive and thrive in its environment. Key concepts include
a) basic cell structures and functions;
b) classification of organisms using physical characteristics, body structures, and behavior of the organism; and
c) traits of organisms that allow them to survive in their environment.
Understanding the Standard
- Living things are made of cells. Cells carry out all life processes. New cells come from existing cells. Cells are too small to be seen with the eye alone. By using a microscope, many parts of a cell can be seen.
- Though plant and animal cells are similar, they are also different in shape and in some of their parts. Plant cells tend to be rectangular, while animal cells tend to be spherical or at times irregular.
- Organisms that share similar characteristics can be organized into groups in order to help understand similarities and differences.
- Plants can be categorized as vascular (having special tissues to transport food and water — for example, trees and flowering plants) and nonvascular (not having tissues to transport food and water — for example, moss, liverworts, and hornworts). Most plants are vascular.
- Animals can be categorized as vertebrates (having backbones) or invertebrates (not having backbones).