Science
Grade Eight
Concept Standards

Life Science

§ Body organization
o Identify the major tissues found in the body
o Compare an organ with an organ system
o Describe a major function of all eleven organ systems

§ Skeletal and Muscular Systems
o Identify the major organs of the skeletal system
o Describe the functions of bones
o Illustrate the internal structure of bones
o Compare three types of joints
o Discuss how bones function as levers
o List the major parts of the muscular system
o Describe the different types of muscle and an example of each type
o Describe how skeletal muscles move bones
o Compare aerobic exercise with resistance exercise
o Give an example of a muscle injury

§ Integumentary System
o Describe the major functions of the integumentary system
o List the major parts of the skin, and discuss their functions
o Describe the structure and function of hair and nails
o Describe the common types of damage that can affect skin

§ Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
o Describe the functions of the cardiovascular system
o Compare and contrast the three types of blood vessels
o Describe the path that blood travels as it circulates through the body
o Distinguish between blood types
o Describe two cardiovascular problems
o Discuss the functions of the lymphatic system
o Identify the relationship between lymph and blood
o Describe the organs of the lymphatic system

§ Respiratory System
o Describe the functions of the respiratory system
o Describe the flow of air through the respiratory system
o Discuss the relationship between the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system
o Identify respiratory disorders

§ Digestive and Urinary Systems
o Describe the organs and functions of the digestive system
o Compare mechanical and chemical digestion
o Describe some disorders of the digestive system
o Identify six groups of nutrients and explain their importance to good health
o Use dietary guidelines and the food pyramid to plan a healthy diet
o Explain the dangers of various nutritional disorders
o Describe the organs and functions of the urinary system
o Explain how the kidneys filter blood
o Describe some disorders of the urinary system
§ Nervous and Endocrine Systems
o Explain how neurons in the nervous system work together
o Compare the central nervous system with the peripheral nervous system
o Describe the major functions of the brain and spinal cord
o List four sensations that are detected by receptors in the skin
o Describe how light relates to vision
o Explain the functions of photoreceptors, taste buds, and olfactory cells
o Explain the function of the endocrine system
o List the glands of the endocrine system and describe some of their functions
o Describe how feedback controls stop and start hormone release

§ Substance Abuse
o Distinguish between positive and negative uses of drugs
o Explain the hazards of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs
o Explain how substance abuse can affect the nervous system and other organs
o Distinguish between positive and negative peer pressure

§ Reproductive System
o Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction
o Explain the difference between external and internal fertilization
o Describe the three different types of mammalian development
o Describe the functions of the male and female reproductive systems
o Discuss disorders and diseases associated with human reproduction
o Summarize the processes of fertilization
o Describe the course of human development before birth, during birth, and after birth

§ Immune System
o Explain the difference between infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases
o Identify ways that you might come into contact with a pathogen
o Discuss four methods that have helped reduce the spread of disease
o Describe how your body keeps out pathogens
o Explain how the immune system works
o Discuss the purpose of a fever
o Explain the difference between allergies and autoimmune diseases
o Discuss what cancer is
o Describe how HIV affects the immune system
o Describe four important aspects of good hygiene
o Explain why exercise and sleep are important to good health
o Describe methods of handling stress

Physical Science

§ Electricity
o State and give examples of the law of electric charges
o Describe three ways an object can become charged
o Compare conductors with insulators
o Give examples of static electricity and electric discharge
o Explain how a cell produces an electric current
o Describe how the potential difference is related to electric current
o Describe how photocells and thermocouples produce electrical energy
o Describe electric current
o Identify four factors that determine the resistance of an object
o Explain how current, voltage, and resistance are related by Ohms law
o Describe how electric power is related to electrical energy
o Name the three essential parts of a circuit and demonstrate how to create circuits
o Compare series circuits with parallel circuits
o Explain how fuses and circuit breakers protect your home against short circuits and circuit overloads

§ Electromagnetism
o Describe the force between two magnetic poles
o Explain why some materials are magnetic and some are not
o Describe four different categories of magnets
o Give two examples of the effect of Earths magnetic field
o Identify the relationship between an electric current and a magnetic field
o Compare solenoids, electromagnets, and magnets
o Describe how electromagnetism is involved in the operation of doorbells, electric motors, and galvanometers
o Explain how a magnetic field can produce an electric current
o Explain how electromagnetic induction is used in a generator
o Compare step-up and step-down transformers

Earth Science

§ The Atmosphere
o Discuss the composition of the Earths atmosphere
o Explain why pressure changes with altitude
o Explain how temperature changes with altitude
o Describe the layers of the atmosphere
o Describe what happens to radiation that reaches the Earth
o Summarize the process of radiation, conduction, and convection
o Explain how the greenhouse effect could contribute to global warming
o Explain the relationship between air pressure and wind direction
o Describe the global patterns of wind
o Explain the causes of local wind patterns
o Describe the major types and causes of air pollution
o Explain how air pollution can affect human health
o Explain how air pollution can be reduced

§ Weather
o Explain how water moves through the water cycle
o Define relative humidity
o Explain what the dew point is and its relation to condensation
o Describe the three major cloud forms
o Describe the four major types of precipitation
o Explain how air masses are characterized
o Describe the four major types of air masses that influence weather in the United States
o Relate fronts to weather changes
o Explain what lightning is
o Describe the characteristics and formation of thunderstorms, tornados, and hurricanes
o Describe the different types of instruments used to take weather measurements
o Explain how to interpret a weather map
o Explain why weather maps are useful