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Growth and Development of Organisms — Reading Comprehension

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MS-LS1-4
MS-LS1-5

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This middle school science passage, aligned with NGSS standards MS-LS1-4 and MS-LS1-5, provides an in-depth look at the growth and development of organisms, with a special focus on humans. Students will learn about the distinct stages of human life—from infancy, through childhood and adolescence, to adulthood—exploring the physical and biological mechanisms that drive these changes. The passage highlights how factors like genetics, hormones, nutrition, exercise, and sleep interact to influence growth. By comparing human development with processes like complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects, the passage broadens students' understanding of life cycles in the natural world. The content also examines life expectancy and the science of aging. Activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers to reinforce learning. Audio integration ensures accessibility for diverse learners. This resource is ideal for grades 6-8, supporting scientific literacy and critical thinking.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Growth and Development of Organisms — Butterfly life cycle.

Growth and development are essential biological processes that shape the life of every organism. Human beings, like all living things, experience a sequence of changes from birth through adulthood. These changes are visible in the way our bodies, abilities, and behaviors transform over time. Scientists study these stages to understand how genetics, environment, and internal processes interact to create the patterns we observe in nature.

Stages of Human Development

Human development begins with infancy, a period marked by rapid physical growth. During this stage, a baby's weight can double within the first six months, and their height increases quickly. Motor skills, such as crawling and grasping, develop as the nervous system matures. In childhood, growth continues but at a slower rate. Children gain new abilities, including language, reasoning, and complex movements, as their brains and bodies develop. Adolescence is the stage where major changes occur due to hormones. Growth spurts cause rapid increases in height and weight, and sexual maturity is reached. The body produces hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which trigger the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Finally, adulthood is a time of maintenance and gradual aging. While growth stops, the body works to repair tissues and maintain function. Over time, aging leads to slower cell division, reduced strength, and increased risk of disease.

Factors Affecting Growth and Development

Several factors influence how organisms grow and develop. Genetics determines traits like height, eye color, and body type. However, environmental factors such as nutrition and access to healthy food are crucial for proper development. A child who eats a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals is more likely to reach their full genetic potential. Hormones act as chemical messengers that regulate growth and changes during puberty. Exercise and sleep are also vital. Physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, while sleep allows the body to grow and repair. Scientists have found that most human growth occurs during sleep due to increased hormone release at night.

Comparing Human and Other Organism Development

Not all organisms grow in the same way. Many insects, for example, undergo metamorphosis. In complete metamorphosis, insects like butterflies pass through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage looks very different and serves a unique function. In incomplete metamorphosis, insects such as grasshoppers go from egg to nymph to adult, with each stage resembling a smaller version of the adult. These patterns help scientists understand the diversity of life cycles. In both humans and insects, the environment and internal biological processes must work together for healthy development.

Life expectancy, or the average number of years an organism is expected to live, varies widely between species. In humans, advances in medicine, nutrition, and living conditions have increased life expectancy worldwide. However, aging is inevitable. Scientists continue to research how genetics, cellular processes, and lifestyle choices affect how we age.

Understanding growth and development helps us make healthy choices and appreciate the complexity of life on Earth. These processes are shaped by both inherited information and the environment, demonstrating the interconnectedness of living systems.

Interesting Fact: Some insects, like mayflies, spend most of their lives as aquatic larvae and live only a few hours as adults!

What happens during infancy in humans?

Rapid physical growth and development of motor skillsThe body stops growing and begins to ageHormone levels decrease sharplyComplete metamorphosis occurs

Which factor is NOT mentioned as affecting human growth?

NutritionExerciseWeatherHormones

In complete metamorphosis, what is the correct order of stages for a butterfly?

Egg, larva, pupa, adultEgg, nymph, adultEgg, adult, larva, pupaLarva, pupa, egg, adult

What is the main function of hormones during adolescence?

They trigger growth spurts and sexual maturationThey stop growth permanentlyThey determine eye colorThey make organisms sleep more

What does the term 'life expectancy' mean in the passage?

The average number of years an organism is expected to liveThe age when a person stops growingThe number of stages in insect metamorphosisA type of hormone

What is the meaning of the word 'metamorphosis' as used in the passage?

A change in form during an organism's life cycleA period of sleepA type of genetic diseaseA process of aging

Based on the passage, why is sleep important for growth?

Most human growth happens during sleep due to hormone releaseSleep helps insects complete metamorphosisSleep only affects adultsSleep is not important for growth

How is human development different from insect metamorphosis?

Humans do not change form as drastically as insects during developmentHumans lay eggs like insectsHumans skip the childhood stageHumans develop wings as adults

True or False: Genetics alone determines how tall a person will be.

TrueFalse

True or False: All organisms have the same life expectancy.

TrueFalse