MS-LS1-5 - Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Clarification Statement - Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.

Assessment Boundary - Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.

8.MS-LS1-5 - Construct an argument based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Clarification Statement - Examples of environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include the genes responsible for size differences in different breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes and Chihuahuas. Examples of environmental factors could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds. Examples of both genetic and environmental factors could include different varieties of plants growing at different rates in different conditions.

Assessment Boundary - Methods of reproduction, genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes are not expected in state assessment.