U n i i t t P l l a n T T e m p l l a t t e
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Unit Author
First and Last Name
Author's E-mail Address
Course Name(s)
Course Number(s)
Course Section(s)
School City, State, Zip
Instructor Name(s):
Unit Overview
Karen Robinson krobinson@madison-schools.com
Biology I
1300
01
Ridgeland High School, Mississippi 39110
Richard Holden
Unit Plan Title Evolution of Populations
Curriculum-Framing Questions
Essential Question
How can populations evolve to form new species?
Unit Questions
How do genes make evolution possible?
What causes a population’s gene pool to change?
How do new species form?
What can genes tell us about an organism’s evolutionary history?
Unit Summary
Evolution is a change in the frequency of alleles in a population over time.
Three sources of genetic variation are mutation, genetic recombination during sexual reproduction, and lateral gene transfer.
The number of phenotypes produced for a trait depends on how many genes control the trait.
Natural selection on single-gene traits can lead to changes in allele frequencies and thus to changes in phenotype frequencies.
Natural selection on polygenic traits can affect the relative fitness of phenotypes and thereby produce one of three types of selection: directional selection, stabilizing selection, or disruptive selection.
In small populations, individuals that carry a particular allele may leave more descendents than other individuals leave, just by chance. Over time, a series of chance occurrences can
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cause an allele to become more or less common in a population.
The Hardy-Weinberg principle predicts that five conditions can disturb genetic equilibrium and cause evolution to occur: (1) nonrandom mating, (2) small population size, (3) immigration or emigration, (4) mutations, or (5) natural selection.
When populations become reproductively isolated, they can evolve into two separate species.
Reproductive isolation can develop in a variety of ways, including behavioral isolation, geographic isolation, and temporal isolation.
Speciation in Galapagos finches, most likely occurred by founding of a new population, geographic isolation, changes in the new population’s gene pool, behavioral isolation, and ecological competition.
A molecular clock uses mutation rates in DNA to estimate the time that two species have been evolving independently.
One way in which new genes evolve is through the duplication and then modification of existing genes.
Small changes in Hox gene activity during embryological development can produce large changes in adult animals.
Subject Area(s):
(List all subjects that apply)
Biology I
Grade Level
(Click boxes of all grade levels that apply)
K-2
6-8
3-5
9-12
ESL
Gifted and Talented
Resource
Other:
Student Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Define evolution in genetic terms.
Identify the main sources of genetic variation in a population.
State what determines the number of phenotypes for a trait.
Explain how natural selection affects single gene and polygenetic traits.
Describe genetic drift.
Explain how different factors affect genetic equilibrium.
Identify the types of isolation that can lead to the formation of new species.
Describe the current hypothesis about Galapagoes finch speciation.
Explain how molecular clocks are used.
Explain how new genes evolve.
Describe how Hox genes may be involved in evolutionary change.
Targeted State Frameworks/Content Standards/Benchmarks
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4b Differentiate between types of cellular reproduction.
6b Critique data to develop an understanding of evolutionary processes and patterns.
6d Analyze and explain the roles of natural selection.
Procedures
TTW use Powerpoint Evolution
TTW use SATP overheads on Evolution
TSW use Evolution handout
TSW work Chapter 17 workbook
TSW define Chapter 17 vocabulary
TSW research Charles Darwin and peers related to evolution
TSW write a position paper on if they agree or disagree with Darwin’s finds on evolution
Approximate Time Needed
( Example: 45 minutes, 4 hours, 1 year, etc.)
450 minutes (5 block periods-90 minutes each)
Prerequisite Skills
Materials and Resources Required For Unit
Technology – Hardware
(Click boxes of all equipment needed.)
Camera
Computer(s)
Laser Disk
Printer
Digital Camera
DVD Player
Projection System
Scanner
Internet Connection Television
Technology – Software
(Click boxes of all software needed.)
Database/Spreadsheet
Desktop Publishing
E-mail Software
Encyclopedia on CD-ROM
Image Processing
Internet Web Browser
Multimedia
Printed Materials Workbook A, Evolution handouts
VCR
Video Camera
Video Conferencing Equip.
Other:
Web Page Development
Word Processing
Other: Power pt
Supplies
Animal bones
Internet Resources biologyjunction.com
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Others
Accommodations for Differentiated Instruction
Resource Student Spanish dictionary for ELL students
Gifted Student
Student Assessment
Research project related to endosymbiotic theory
USATESTPREP assessments, Chapter 17 test
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