Virginia State Standards for Science: Grade 7

VA.LS.1. Life Science: The student will plan and conduct investigations in which a) data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means; b) variables are defined; c) metric units (SI - International System of Units) are used; d) models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena; e) sources of experimental error are identified; f) dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified; g) variables are controlled to test hypotheses and trials are repeated; h) continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions; i) interpretations from the same set of data are evaluated and defended; and j) an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced. 19
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.1.

VA.LS.2. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of cells. Key concepts include a) cell structure and organelles (cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, vacuole, mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus and chloroplast); b) similarities and differences between plant and animal cells; c) development of cell theory; and d) cell division (mitosis and meiosis). 34
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.2.

VA.LS.3. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that living things show patterns of cellular organization. Key concepts include a) cells, tissues, organs, and systems; and b) life functions and processes of cells, tissues, organs, and systems (respiration, removal of wastes, growth, reproduction, digestion, and cellular transport). 55
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.3.

VA.LS.5. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand how organisms can be classified. Key concepts include a) distinguishing characteristics among kingdoms of organisms; b) distinguishing characteristics of major animal and plant phyla; and c) the characteristics of the species. 13
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.5.

VA.LS.6. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand the basic physical and chemical processes of photosynthesis and its importance to plant and animal life. Key concepts include a) energy transfer between sunlight and chlorophyll; b) transformation of water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen; and c) photosynthesis as the foundation of virtually all food webs. 14
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.6.

VA.LS.7. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that organisms within an ecosystem are dependent on one another and on nonliving components of the environment. Key concepts include a) the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles; b) interactions resulting in a flow of energy and matter throughout the system; c) complex relationships within terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems; and d) energy flow in food webs and energy pyramids. 12
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.7.

VA.LS.8. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that interactions exist among members of a population. Key concepts include a) competition, cooperation, social hierarchy, territorial imperative; and b) influence of behavior on a population. 9
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.8.

VA.LS.9. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand interactions among populations in a biological community. Key concepts include a) the relationship among producers, consumers, and decomposers in food webs; b) the relationship of predators and prey; c) competition and cooperation; d) symbiotic relationships; and e) niches. 19
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.9.

VA.LS.10. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand how organisms adapt to biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Key concepts include a) differences between ecosystems and biomes; b) characteristics of land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems; and c) adaptations that enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem. 8
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.10.

VA.LS.11. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time (daily, seasonal, and long term). Key concepts include a) phototropism, hibernation, and dormancy; b) factors that increase or decrease population size; and c) eutrophication, climate change, and catastrophic disturbances. 11
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.11.

VA.LS.12. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand the relationships between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key concepts include a) food production and harvest; b) change in habitat size, quality, and structure; c) change in species competition; d) population disturbances and factors that threaten and enhance species survival; and e) environmental issues (water supply, air quality, energy production, and waste management). 48
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.12.

VA.LS.13. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations. Key concepts include a) the role of DNA; b) the function of genes and chromosomes; c) genotypes and phenotypes; d) factors affecting the expression of traits; e) characteristics that can and cannot be inherited; f) genetic engineering and its applications; and g) historical contributions and significance of discoveries related to genetics. 20
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.13.

VA.LS.14. Life Science: The student will investigate and understand that organisms change over time. Key concepts include a) the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction; b) evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record; and c) how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms. 14
Suggested Titles for Virginia Science State Standard VA.LS.14.