Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.1.4.CS:
Emphasis should be on the outcomes of mitotic division and cell differentiation on growth and development of complex organisms and possible implications for abnormal cell division (cancer) and stem cell research.

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.1.4.AB:
Assessment does not include specific gene control mechanisms or rote memorization of the steps of mitosis.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP2.3:
Use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.1.4.DCI:
LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms •In multicellular organisms individual cells grow and then divide via a process called mitosis, thereby allowing the organism to grow. The organism begins as a single cell (fertilized egg) that divides successively to produce many cells, with each parent cell passing identical genetic material (two variants of each chromosome pair) to both daughter cells. Cellular division and differentiation produce and maintain a complex organism, composed of systems of tissues and organs that work together to meet the needs of the whole organism.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC3.8:
Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.3.1.CS:
Emphasis should be on the distinction between coding and non-coding regions of DNA.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP1.2:
Ask questions that arise from examining models or a theory to clarify relationships.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.3.1.DCI:
LS1.A: Structure and Function •All cells contain genetic information in the form of DNA molecules. Genes are regions in the DNA that contain the instructions that code for the formation of proteins. (secondary to HS-LS3-1) LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits •Each chromosome consists of a single very long DNA molecule, and each gene on the chromosome is a particular segment of that DNA. The instructions for forming species’ characteristics are carried in DNA. All cells in an organism have the same genetic content, but the genes used (expressed) by the cell may be regulated in different ways. Not all DNA codes for a protein; some segments of DNA are involved in regulatory or structural functions, and some have no as-yet known function.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.8:
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.3.2.CS:
Emphasis is on using data to support arguments for the way variation occurs including the relevant processes in meiosis and advances in biotechnology

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.3.2.AB:
Assessment does not include the phases of meiosis or the biochemical mechanism of specific steps in the process.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP7.3:
Make and defend a claim based on evidence about the natural world that reflects scientific knowledge, and student-generated evidence.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.3.2.DCI:
LS3.B: Variation of Traits •In sexual reproduction, chromosomes can sometimes swap sections during the process of meiosis (cell division), thereby creating new genetic combinations and thus more genetic variation. Although DNA replication is tightly regulated and remarkably accurate, errors do occur and result in mutations, which are also a source of genetic variation. •(NYSED) Environmental factors can cause mutations in genes. Only mutations in sex cells can be inherited. •(NYSED) Advances in biotechnology have allowed organisms to be modified genetically. •Environmental factors also affect expression of traits, and hence affect the probability of occurrences of traits in a population. Thus the variation and distribution of traits observed depends on both genetic and environmental factors.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.8:
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.3.3.CS:
Emphasis is on the use of mathematics to describe the probability of traits as it relates to genetic and environmental factors in the expression of traits.

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.3.3.AB:
Assessment does not include Hardy-Weinberg calculations.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP4.2:
Apply concepts of statistics and probability (including determining function fits to data, slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient for linear fits) to scientific and engineering questions and problems, using digital tools when feasible.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.3.3.DCI:
LS3.B: Variation of Traits •Environmental factors also affect expression of traits, and hence affect the probability of occurrences of traits in a population. Thus the variation and distribution of traits observed depends on both genetic and environmental factors.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC7.9:
Algebraic thinking is used to examinescientific data and predict the effect of a change in one variable on another (e.g., linear growth vs. exponential growth).

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.1.8.CS:
Emphasis is on structures and function of human reproductive systems, interactions with other human body systems, embryonic development, and influences of environmental factors on development

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.1.8.AB:
Assessment does not include the details of hormonal regulation or stages of embryonic development.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP2.3:
Use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.1.8.DCI:
LS1.A: Structure and Function •(NYSED) The structures and functions of the humanfemale reproductive system produce gametes in ovaries, allow for internal fertilization, support the internal development of the embryo and fetus in the uterus, and provide essential materials through the placenta, and nutrition through milk for the newborn. The structures and functions of the human male reproductive system produce gametes in testes and make possible the delivery of these gametes for fertilization. LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms •(NYSED) The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development. Human development, birth, and aging should be viewed as a predictable pattern of events influenced by factors such as gene expression, hormones, and the environment.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC3.8:
Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales.