--- title: 8-LS1-4 description: 8-LS1-4 Use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 8-LS1-4 Use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 8-LS1-4 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-07-13-15-5068-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) ## [Natural Selection In this unit, students figure out the interconnectedness of genetics, heredity, and evolution. For this lesson, students create an experiment to observe the phenomenon of natural selection determining which organisms are most likely to survive and pass on their traits. This page showcases parts of key components of the lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(44).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/animal-and-plant-cell-structure-and-function) ## [Animal and Plant Cell Structure and Function In this unit, students focus on the relationship between an organism’s cellular structure and the ability of the organism to access energy to carry out essential life functions. Students begin by examining prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells under the microscope and then compare organelles in plant and animal cells in this lesson. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/animal-and-plant-cell-structure-and-function) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/animal-and-plant-cell-structure-and-function) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(45).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-cell-membrane) ## [The Cell Membrane In this unit, students focus on the organisms that live on Earth’s surface, analyzing how living things are made of cells, which have certain requirements for survival, including food, water, and energy. In this lesson they explore the phenomena of cellular membranes. This page highlights key parts of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-cell-membrane) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-cell-membrane) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(48).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chromosomes-and-mutations) ## [Chromosomes and Mutations In this unit, students analyze phenomena of inheritance in how living things pass along their genes to offspring. Students evaluate the role of DNA and chromosomes in heredity in this lesson. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chromosomes-and-mutations) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chromosomes-and-mutations) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(50).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/reproduction) ## [Reproduction IIn this unit, students analyze the science phenomena of inheritance, how living things pass along their genes to offspring. Students evaluate the role of DNA and chromosomes in heredity, and compare the two forms of cell division: the phenomena mitosis and phenomena meiosis. This page shows key components of this lesson on reproduction.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/reproduction) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/reproduction) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(53).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/rocky-shore-ecosystems) ## [Rocky Shore Ecosystems In this unit, students explore the phenomena of rocky shore ecosystems, studying the interactions between living things and the environment. In this lesson they focus on the science phenomena of how organisms interact with one another in an ecosystem. This page showcases key elements from this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/rocky-shore-ecosystems) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/rocky-shore-ecosystems) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(55).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/sea-star-structures) ## [Sea Star Structures In this unit, students focus on the phenomena of rocky shore ecosystems and the science phenomena of how organisms interact. For this lesson, students analyze how adaptations allow for the survival of different organisms, specifically sea star structures. This is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/sea-star-structures) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/sea-star-structures) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(54).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/intertidal-zone-temperature-change) ## [Intertidal Zone Temperature Change In this unit, students explore the interconnectedness of the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem phenomena. In this lesson, they design an experiment to test how heat is transferred in different materials found on the rocky shore. This page provides a brief overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/intertidal-zone-temperature-change) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/intertidal-zone-temperature-change) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-08-54-58-0486-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/inheritance-and-variation-of-traits) ## [Inheritance and Variation of Traits In this lesson, students figure out similarities among the phenomena of cells, specifically the phenomena of inheritance and variation of traits. This page shows key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/inheritance-and-variation-of-traits) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/inheritance-and-variation-of-traits) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-08-2023-08-54-59-8029-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/reproduction-and-fungi-structures) ## [Reproduction and Fungi Structures In this unit, students explore how life has changed and become more diverse over time. In this lesson, students dissect fungi to figure out how they reproduce. This page highlights components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/reproduction-and-fungi-structures) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/reproduction-and-fungi-structures) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-09-44-53-7508-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/forest-food-web) ## [Forest Food Web In this unit, students explore forest ecosystems, studying the science phenomena of interactions between living things and the environment. In this lesson, students build on their understanding of how energy affects the growth of organisms by exploring the phenomena of forest food webs, and analyzing how the phenomena of drought can have a ripple effect through the ecosystem. This page showcases all components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/forest-food-web) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/forest-food-web) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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