Unit 6

Unit 6 (Ch.6), Evolution of Living Things

Pictured above is the title page of Darwin's first publishing (in 1859) of On the Origin of Species (left), Darwin's 1837 notes (center), and Charles Darwin (right).

California Content Standards in this Unit:

Evolution

Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. As a basis for understanding this concept:

Students know both genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of organisms.
Students know the reasoning used by Charles Darwin in reaching his conclusion that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution.
Students know how independent lines of evidence from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provide the bases for the theory of evolution.
Students know how to construct a simple branching diagram to classify living groups of organisms by shared derived characteristics and how to expand the diagram to include fossil organisms.
Students know that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient for its survival.

Peppered Moth Activity

The Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) depends heavily on camouflage.

Click HERE to go to the Peppered Moth Activity

Darwin's Evidence

Darwin's Mockingbirds, Finches, Megatherium, Rhea, and Glyptodon

Evolution Simulator

In this lab, you will use a computer simulation to track a population of organisms as they evolve. You will take data on the number and varieties of the organisms and graph them to show change over time and determine how two factors, MUTATION RATE and SELECTION STRENGTH affect how populations evolve.

Instructions:

1. Go to http://biologyinmotion.com/evol/index.html

2. Read the introduction and the contents to learn about the imaginary creatures you will be studying and how to operate the simulator. You may also want to look at the help link.

3. Answer the introductory questions on your Evolution Simulator sheet.

4. Open the simulator and practice using the controls before you go on to the real simulation. Be sure to "reset" the simulator when you're finished practicing.

5. Perform two sets of simulations, complete the data table and create graphs:

Clicking HELP gives you a tour of the simulator by providing explanations of all its parts.
The Simulations
Simulation A - The purpose of this simulation is to determine how the mutation rate affects the evolution of your population. You will need to run 4 trials with varying settings for mutation rate (see data table). Keep selection rate constant (do not change) at 0.8.

Fill out the Data Table and then create a line graph using the graphing program at http://www.nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing. (You can also use Google Spreadsheets - Advanced Computer Users ONLY.) You will have 4 lines on your graph. The X-axis will be cycles, and the Y-axis will be mean phenotype. Title this graph, "Simulation A - The Effect of Mutation Rate". See the image below to help you out. Save and print out this graph. See help for printing if needed. Be AWARE that the graphing program does not allow you to save your work for later use. Therefore, plan your time accordingly!

Simulation B - The purpose of this simulation is to determine how selection strength affects the evolution of your population. Run four trials with the selection strength at varying ranges (see data table). Keep mutation rate constant (do not change) at 0.3.

Fill out the data table and create a line graph for simulation B. You will have 4 lines on your graph. The X-axis will be cycles, and the Y-axis will be mean phenotype. Title this graph, "Simulation B - The Effect of Selection Strength". Save and print out this graph. See help for printing if needed. Use the hole-puncher so that your graphs can neatly go in your binder.

Above shows how I setup my graph for Simulation A. MR stands for Mutation Rate. You should be able to figure out how to setup Simulation B from this example as well.

6. Last, complete the analysis questions and get a Teacher's Stamp of Approval.

Darwin Podcast Project Information

What's a podcast? Click HERE to view the video.

The technology component in this unit is a partner podcast. You and your partner are media writers and popular personalities for Correia Middle School's radio station. Create a podcast that is at least 3 minutes in length (of recorded voice) that connects the learning from Unit 6 with the trip by Darwin and his shipmates on the Beagle over the 5 years they spent exploring different areas around the world. Focus on the science value and evidence they gathered rather than your personal opinions.

Podcast Requirements:

Include a brief radio introduction and sign-off at the end.

Every student must have an equal share of recorded voice.

You must discuss four categories: 1. Charles Darwin 2. Darwin's Legendary Voyage 3. Darwin's Evidence for His Theory and 4. The Theory of Natural Selection.

Must be at least 3 minutes of recorded voice and no longer than 10 minutes total.

Must be exported properly and transferred by flash drive or uploaded correctly to podcasts (see your teacher) on Correia Middle's website by the due date (see calendar).
The podcast assignment will require you to get familiar with GarageBand. There are many other programs to create podcasts but this is the software we will be using in class. Your teacher will provide you a tutorial of the basic skills. Like with many software tools, the best teacher is yourself!

Images for Your Podcast: There's a web page under Unit 6 that contains photos you can use in your podcast. Adding images is NOT required and is for advanced GarageBand users only. LINK to the NEW images is coming soon!

Mr. G, Miss Smith, and Mr. Rubens created their own podcast to tell you about the project. Click HERE for the Introduction Podcast

Click HERE for a GarageBand Tutorial from Apple

See Below Attachments for the Podcast Graphic Organizer and the Podcast Grading Rubric.

Use the Following Link to Listen to Last Year's Podcasts (copy/paste):
itpc://www.correiamiddle.com/apps/podcasts/feed.jsp?pcOwnerREC_ID=u27478

Subscribes via iTunes