MODELING 10: MOLECULAR EVOLUTION AND CLASSIFICATION NOTES
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How does our research today support life has changed over time and is interconnected?
How is evolution understood in the context of our understanding of molecular genetics?
How does this molecular evidence complement and enhance our understanding of the
theory of evolution?
*How has technology allowed scientists in the field of genomics and proteomics to study
the interconnectedness of life on the molecular scale?
*How does technology allow us to manipulate the course of evolution in the present and
the future?
*As time allows
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:
Explain that evolution occurs in populations and is defined as the change in allele frequency
of a population.
Explain that genetic variation within a population can be attributed to mutations as well as
random assortments of existing genes. (B.8.6)
Describe how organisms with beneficial traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on
their genetic information due to genetic variations, environmental forces and reproductive
pressures. (B.8.5)
Explain how anatomical and molecular similarities among organisms suggests that life on
earth began as simple, one-celled organisms about 4 billion years ago and multicellular
organisms evolved later. (B.8.1)
Use anatomical and molecular evidence to establish evolutionary relationships among
organisms. (B.8.3)
Understand that molecular evidence supports the anatomical evidence for these evolutionary
relationships and provides additional information about the order in which different lines of
descent branched. (B.8.4)
*Describe several methods and scientific milestones in the field of genomics and proteomics,
such as gel electrophoresis, the human genome project, blotting techniques, polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), RNA interference, bioinformatics, etc.
*Describe current technologies which allow us to modify the genome and genetic variability,
such as recombinant DNA, gene therapy, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), genetic testing
and screening, etc. Discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of these technologies
along with associated ethical concerns.
*As time allows
MISCONCEPTIONS:
SEQUENCE:
Model 1: How is evolution understood in the context of our understanding of molecular
genetics?
Possible labs/activities: Hardy-Weinberg Simulation?
Model 2: How does this molecular evidence complement and enhance our understanding of the
theory of evolution?
Possible labs/activities: DNA comparisons using BLAST?,
Human origins activity (www.dnai.org/d/index.html)?
*Model 3: How has technology allowed scientists in the field of genomics and proteomics to
study the interconnectedness of life on the molecular scale?
Possible labs/activities: Gel electrophoresis/restriction enzymes?, PCR simulation?
*Model 4: How does technology allow us to manipulate the course of evolution in the present
and the future?
Possible labs/activities: Genetically modified food, genetic modification kits?
*As time allows
INSTRUCTIONAL NOTES: