Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.B.2.2.4
Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.B.2.2.4
Continuum of Activities
The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.
This continuum of activities offers:
- Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
- Questions/activities that grow in complexity
- Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance
Grade Levels
7th Grade
Course, Subject
Science
Activities
- What is selective breeding?
- Summarize the process of genetic engineering.
- How are genetic engineering and selective breeding similar? How are they different?
- Discuss at least 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of selective breeding. Based on this information, explain why or why not you believe selective breeding should or should not occur.
Answer Key/Rubric
- Selective breeding is the process by which humans breed plants or animals to produce offspring with specific traits.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Genetic engineering is the process by which scientists change the DNA of an organism.
- First, a sequence of DNA is isolated in one organism.
- Then this sequence is inserted into the DNA of another organism.
- This changes the DNA of the second organism.
- DNA is often engineered to modify a specific trait.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Both processes occur in order to change the traits of an organism.
- Both processes have the goal of improving the organism in some way.
- Both processes affect future generations.
- Genetic engineering directly changes the DNA of an organism.
- Selective breeding begins with the parents of the offspring.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- It produces animals that are more beneficial for the farmer. These animals yield higher profits.
- It can produce stronger and healthier animals. Animals may be able to survive in unfavorable climates.
- It can eliminate genetic diseases and disorders.
- May help plants be more resilient to insects and disease.
- May create stronger plants that are able to survive in unfavorable soils and conditions.
- The genetic variety within a group of plants or animals will decrease.
- May cause discomfort for animals.
- Plants could develop traits that are harmful other plants. For example, one plant may require lots of water which would decrease the water available for other plants.
