LEARNING TARGETS:
EVOLUTION
Target 1: CHANGES IN POPULATIONS
I can explain how populations have changed over time using one of
our three anchor stories.
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Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics
Iguanas stranded on the Galapagos Islands
Peppered Moths
use the following terms: Underline each term when used.
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Population
Mutation of DNA
Change in the environment
Competition
Variation in traits
Best adapted to the new environment
Most likely to reproduce and pass on genes and traits
Natural selection / Selective breeding
Evolution (change over time)
Isolation
Target 2: NEW SPECIES FORMING THROUGH
NATURAL SELECTION
I can use the 4 principles of Natural Selection to explain Charles
Darwin’s idea about how new species form from existing species.
In my explanation I can include the ideas of
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Separation (also called “isolation”) of populations
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Overproduction of offspring
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Variation among offspring
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Competition for limited resources
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Differences in reproductive succes
DARWINS 4
PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL SELECTION
Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection was based on four principles.
1. OVERPRODUCTION OF
OFFSPRING. All species are capable of
produce more young than can survive on the
resources available in the environment.. One
pair of mice can produce a litter of about six
offspring as many as six times a year.
2. VARIATIONS ARE INHERITED.
Offspring from the same parents show
differences in traits. There is always
variations within a species
3.
. NATURE SELECTS THE
BEST TRAITS FOR THAT
ENVIRONMENT Against a
dark background, the pale mice
are easier to see, so they are the
ones more likely to be eaten by
owls. The dark mice are better
adapted to this environment.
Since coat color is inherited, the
4. BEST TRAITS GET PASSED
ON. And become more common in the
next generations. In our
example…surviving mice will likely
pass on dark coats to their descendents,
thus, in this environment, mice with
dark coats will be most common.