Bear Evolution
Overview and concepts
Overview
How can gene sequences be analyzed in order to show similarities and phylogenic relationships?
Students use NCBI to look up gene sequences for several mammals. They then use Biology Workbench to
import the sequences and draw phylogenic trees.
Grade level
10th grade Biology
Concepts covered
Evolutionary Biology, genetics, gene sequencing, evolution, phylogenic trees , ribosome, rRNA
Prior knowledge required:
Basic genetics concepts
Activity notes
Time frame
 1-2 Days
Materials
Computers with internet access
Family of Bears student handout (see attached documents)
Computer with projection capability
Bear Evolution PowerPoint (see attached documents)
Teaching Tips
 Before teaching:
o Test out Biology Workbench to make sure it works correctly on your school’s computers.
o Have a few copies of the teacher answers ready to hand out to students if the online
components are too slow to be productive. Students can be given answers to an earlier section
to continue working on the next section.
 Introduction:
o Use Bear Evolution PowerPoint to spark student interest in the relationships of “bears”
o Encourage students to give their opinions about bear phylogeny.
o Model how to use biology workbench and ncbi.
 Activity:
o Distribute handout, “Family of Bears” and allow students to go to computers. Students work on
Family of Bears activity.
o Walk around the room and assist students as needed.
 Closure:
o Gather the group to discuss findings and any questions. Students will give ideas about what the
matrix and tree tells us about bear evolution.
o Discuss the accuracy of the tree/matrix.
o Collect Family of Bears if completed – otherwise assign it as homework.
Resources
 NCBI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 Biology Workbench: http://workbench.sdsc.edu/
Acknowledgments
These teacher notes and resources were produced by Tara Flick.