Learning Targets: Evolution

LEARNING TARGETS: EVOLUTION

Target 1: CHANGES IN POPULATIONS

I can explain how populations have changed over time using one of our three anchor stories.

 Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics  Iguanas stranded on the Galapagos Islands  Peppered Moths

use the following terms: Underline each term when used.

 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

 Separation (also called “isolation”) of populations

 Overproduction of offspring

 Variation among offspring

 Competition for limited resources

 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.