Evolution

Holly Curry
Science Teacher
Overton High School
Overton, Tx

Unit Objectives;

• Compare closely related DNA sequences of representative groups of mammals or other major groups);
• Compare anatomical similarities of representative groups chordates;
• Compare homologous, analogous and vestigial structures of various groups; bird vs. bats, etc;
• Compare embryological development of animals (blastula>gastrula>cell layers);
• Identify evidence of change in species using fossils, DNA sequences, anatomical similarities, physiological similarities, and embryology.
• Illustrate the results of natural selection in speciation, diversity, phylogeny, adaptation, behavior, and extinction. 
• Discuss & Compare examples INCLUDING:  Darwin's finches, Peppered moths vs. white moths

 

C - Activities:

You must complete 30 points (6 activities) of C level activities.  Each item is worth 5 points.  For extra credit, you may complete up to two extra C activities.  All C activities are due by Monday, February 8^th.  These can be done in class or at home.  All of these activities are individual activities.  Check the items you would like to complete.

1. Summarize the notes
2. Read and outline the evolution chapter in the book
3. Describe at least three different ways that plants adapt to their environment.
4. Describe at least three different ways that animals adapt to their environment
5. Make Flash cards using the vocabulary words. 
6. Concept map/graphic organizer on Darwin’s ideas of evolution and natural selection.
7. Look at DNA sequences of different plants or animals and compare them.  Write a couple of paragraphs describing how they are similar and how they are different.
8. Watch Inherit the Wind and write a one page summary of the movie.
9. Write a quiz over evolution
10. Write three quality test questions

 
 
 
 
 

B - Activities:

You must complete one of the B activities.  Each item has a different point value.  You may complete one extra activity for five points of extra credit.  All C activities must be completed, turned in, and checked off before moving to B activities.  All of the activities in the section, except the last one, are individual activities.  Check off the activities you would like to complete.

• Brainstorm ways Earth might change over the next 1000 years. Select an organism living today and explain how it might evolve to adapt to the changes. Describe this in writing or make a sketch of specific adaptations in your organism. (25pts)
• Research the convergent evolution of marsupial and placental mammals. Create a poster or type a 1-page paper that compares examples of both. (20pts)
• Create a concept map poster (20pts) or PowerPoint (25pts) summarizing the contributions of other scientists to Darwin’s ideas about evolution.
• Develop a list of examples of the biodiversity that Darwin observed.  Explain what these examples are and how they work.(20pts)
• Create a poster (20pts) or PowerPoint (25pts) presentation that illustrates the different types of structures.
• Create a Venn diagram poster (20pts) or PowerPoint (25pts) that compares and contrasts the embryological devilment of animals.
• Create a Venn diagram poster (20pts) or PowerPoint (25pts) comparing the anatomical similarities and differences of two closely related animals.  Include drawings or pictures. 
• Complete The Lost Diversity of Easter Island activity (25pts).  This activity will be done in pairs.

A – Activities:

You must complete one of the A activities.  All items in this section are worth 40 points.  You may complete one extra activity for five points of extra credit.  All B and C activities must be completed, turned in, and checked off before moving to A activities.  These are considered group activities.  At the completion of the A activities, each group will present/defend their findings.  Check the activity your group wants to complete.

• Create a power point presentation or booklet on Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. The presentation must have at least 5 slides or pages. (A title slide and 4 slides identifying and explaining his 4 most important ideas.) On the last slide or page of your book, explain whether you agree or disagree with Darwin's theory. Justify your answer.
• Select an adaptation of a plant or animal. Write a scenario explaining how the trait might have evolved according to Lamarck, and then write a second scenario using Darwin’s ideas.
• Create a plant or animal.  Show how this animal has adapted to its conditions over the last 1000 years and where it could go in the future.

 

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