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8: Natural Selection

  • Page ID
    25150
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    In this minds-on, hands-on activity, students develop their understanding of natural selection by analyzing specific examples and carrying out a simulation. The questions in the introductory section introduce students to the basic process of natural selection, including key concepts and vocabulary. The second section includes a simulation activity, data analysis, and interpretation questions to deepen students' understanding of natural selection. In the third section, students interpret evidence concerning natural selection in the peppered moth and answer questions designed to consolidate a scientifically accurate understanding of how the process of natural selection can result in evolutionary change.

    • 8.1: Natural Selection Protocol
      A characteristic which is influenced by genes and passed from parents to offspring is called a heritable trait. For example, fur color is a heritable trait for mice. A heritable trait that increases fitness is called an adaptive heritable trait. Individuals with an adaptive heritable trait generally produce more offspring than individuals without this trait. For example, on gray sand, gray fur color is an adaptive heritable trait which allows mice to survive longer and have more offsprings.
    • 8.2: Natural Selection Teacher's Preparation Notes
      In this minds-on, hands-on activity, students develop their understanding of natural selection by analyzing specific examples and carrying out a simulation. The introductory section introduces students to the basic process of natural selection. The second section includes a simulation activity to deepen students' understanding of natural selection. In the third section, students interpret evidence and answer questions designed to consolidate the understanding of the process of natural selection.


    This page titled 8: Natural Selection is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Ingrid Waldron and Jennifer Doherty.

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