South Carolina State Standards for Science: Grade 7

SC.7-1. Scientific Inquiry: The student will demonstrate an understanding of technological design and scientific inquiry, including process skills, mathematical thinking, controlled investigative design and analysis, and problem solving.

7-1.1. Use appropriate tools and instruments (including a microscope) safely and accurately when conducting a controlled scientific investigation. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-1.1.

7-1.2. Generate questions that can be answered through scientific investigation. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-1.2.

7-1.3. Explain the reasons for testing one independent variable at a time in a controlled scientific investigation.

7-1.4. Explain the importance that repeated trials and a well-chosen sample size have with regard to the validity of a controlled scientific investigation.

7-1.5. Explain the relationships between independent and dependent variables in a controlled scientific investigation through the use of appropriate graphs, tables, and charts. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-1.5.

7-1.6. Critique a conclusion drawn from a scientific investigation.

7-1.7. Use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations.

SC.7-2. Cells and Heredity: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of cells, cellular reproduction, and heredity. (Life Science)

7-2.1. Summarize the structures and functions of the major components of plant and animal cells (including the cell wall, the cell membrane, the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles). 22
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.1.

7-2.2. Compare the major components of plant and animal cells. 22
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.2.

7-2.3. Compare the body shapes of bacteria (spiral, coccus, and bacillus) and the body structures that protists (euglena, paramecium, amoeba) use for food gathering and locomotion. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.3.

7-2.4. Explain how cellular processes (including respiration, photosynthesis in plants, mitosis, and waste elimination) are essential to the survival of the organism. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.4.

7-2.5. Summarize how genetic information is passed from parent to offspring by using the terms genes, chromosomes, inherited traits, genotype, phenotype, dominant traits, and recessive traits. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.5.

7-2.6. Use Punnett squares to predict inherited monohybrid traits. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.6.

7-2.7. Distinguish between inherited traits and those acquired from environmental factors. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-2.7.

SC.7-3. Human Body Systems and Disease: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the functions and interconnections of the major human body systems, including the breakdown in structure or function that disease causes. (Life Science)

7-3.1. Summarize the levels of structural organization within the human body (including cells, tissues, organs, and systems). 19
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-3.1.

7-3.2. Recall the major organs of the human body and their function within their particular body system. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-3.2.

7-3.3. Summarize the relationships of the major body systems (including the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems). 25
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-3.3.

7-3.4. Explain the effects of disease on the major organs and body systems (including infectious diseases such as colds and flu, AIDS, and athlete's foot and noninfectious diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, and skin cancer). 60
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-3.4.

SC.7-4. Ecology: The Biotic and Abiotic Environment: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. (Earth Science, Life Science)

7-4.1. Summarize the characteristics of the levels of organization within ecosystems (including populations, communities, habitats, niches, and biomes). 10
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.1.

7-4.2. Illustrate energy flow in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.2.

7-4.3. Explain the interaction among changes in the environment due to natural hazards (including landslides, wildfires, and floods), changes in populations, and limiting factors (including climate and the availability of food and water, space, and shelter). 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.3.

7-4.4. Explain the effects of soil quality on the characteristics of an ecosystem. 12
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.4.

7-4.5. Summarize how the location and movement of water on Earth's surface through groundwater zones and surface-water drainage basins, called watersheds, are important to ecosystems and to human activities. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.5.

7-4.6. Classify resources as renewable or nonrenewable and explain the implications of their depletion and the importance of conservation. 15
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-4.6.

SC.7-5. The Chemical Nature of Matter: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the classifications and properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. (Physical Science)

7-5.1. Recognize that matter is composed of extremely small particles called atoms. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.1.

7-5.2. Classify matter as element, compound, or mixture on the basis of its composition. 12
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.2.

7-5.3. Compare the physical properties of metals and nonmetals. 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.3.

7-5.4. Use the periodic table to identify the basic organization of elements and groups of elements (including metals, nonmetals, and families). 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.4.

7-5.5. Translate chemical symbols and the chemical formulas of common substances to show the component parts of the substances (including NaCl [table salt], H2O [water], C6H12O6 [simple sugar], O2 [oxygen gas], CO2 [carbon dioxide], and N2 [nitrogen gas]). 8
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.5.

7-5.6. Distinguish between acids and bases and use indicators (including litmus paper, pH paper, and phenolphthalein) to determine their relative pH. 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.6.

7-5.7. Identify the reactants and products in chemical equations. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.7.

7-5.8. Explain how a balanced chemical equation supports the law of conservation of matter. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.8.

7-5.9. Compare physical properties of matter (including melting or boiling point, density, and color) to the chemical property of reactivity with a certain substance (including the ability to burn or to rust). 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.9.

7-5.10. Compare physical changes (including changes in size, shape, and state) to chemical changes that are the result of chemical reactions (including changes in color or temperature and formation of a precipitate or gas). 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 7-5.10.