An invasive species is a non-native organism that causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health. These species are introduced to new environments either intentionally or unintentionally, and they can rapidly spread and outcompete native species. This can lead to a decline in biodiversity and disrupt the ecological balance of an ecosystem.
There are various ways in which invasive species are introduced to new environments:
Intentional Introduction: Some species are intentionally introduced for agricultural, ornamental, or other purposes, but they can escape and become invasive.
Unintentional Introduction: Invasive species can also be introduced unintentionally through activities such as global trade, transport, and travel.
The Living Environment: Students understand that cells are the basic unit of life, that all life as we know it has evolved through genetic transfer and natural selection to create a great diversity of organisms, and that these organisms create interdependent webs through which matter and energy flow. Students understand similarities and differences between humans and other organisms and the interconnections of these interdependent webs.
Cells: Students describe how living things are made up of one or more cells and the ways cells help organisms meet their basic needs.
Give examples of organisms that consist of a single cell and organisms that are made of a collection of cells.