MS-LS2-2 | Interactions in Ecosystems
Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms in a variety of ecosystems.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on predicting patterns of interactions such as competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS2-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS2-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-2.
This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS2-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict phenomena.
- LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- Similarly, predatory interactions may reduce the number of organisms or eliminate whole populations of organisms. Mutually beneficial interactions, in contrast, may become so interdependent that each organisms requires the other for survival. Although the species involved in these competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial interactions vary across ecosystems, the patterns of interactions of organisms with their environments, both living and nonliving, are shared.
- Patterns
- Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.