Indiana Science HS-AP8-1
The Standard
Perform an investigation to identify the composition and function of whole blood components, and the role they play in maintaining homeostasis.
Indiana Academic Standards for Science (2023) · Transport, Blood and the Cardiovascular System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students examine a prepared blood smear and a photo of separated blood. They identify plasma, red cells, white cells, and platelets, then explain how each helps keep the body stable.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can tell the liquid part of blood from its cells and cell fragments. They can explain that plasma carries dissolved materials, red cells carry oxygen, white cells fight infection, and platelets help stop bleeding.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think plasma is just water and carries nothing. Others mix up white cells and platelets, or say red cells fight infection.
How to Assess It
- Show a blood smear photo and a photo of separated blood. Ask students to label the four components and write one job for each.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Examine a prepared blood smear under a microscope and a photo of separated blood; sketch and label the parts visible in each.
Ask, "Why might a person with very few platelets keep bleeding after a small cut?" Have students explain their answer in two sentences.
Give pairs component cards and job cards; have them match each pair, then explain one match without looking at the cards.
Show a sample blood count with low red cell and platelet counts; ask what problems the patient might notice and why.
Free download
Printable HS-AP8-1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to HS-AP8-1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- HS-AP8-3
Investigate the primary structures of the cardiovascular system and explore their functional importance to maintaining homeostasis.
- HS-AP8-7
Design an experiment to illustrate how the cardiovascular system maintains homeostasis.
- HS-AP1-1
Plan and conduct and investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis in humans.
- HS-AP8-2
Conduct an investigation to learn about the ABO blood type. Discuss how the surface-antigens and plasma antibodies allow and/or disallow for certain blood trans...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson