Darwin’s Dilemma

Agenda

 Do Now (5 min)
 Darwin’s Dilemma (45 min)
 Natural Selection (15 min)
 Exit Ticket (5 min)

Endangered Species of the Day: Rusty Patched Bumblebee

Do Now
Which of the following explanations best matches your idea of why
some species survive while others don’t?

 ____Species only disappear because of changes in climate or

habitat.
 ____Individuals in species develop random mutations that either
give them a competitive edge against members of their same
species or create disadvantages.
 ____Individuals develop adaptations in response to specific stresses
(for example, a finch develops a beak that is better for cracking
open a specific kind of nut if that nut is the only available food
source).
 ____None of the options above match my idea. My idea is:
Challenge:
Darwin’s
Dilemma!
Imagine you are scientists
visiting the Galapagos
Islands. You, like Charles
Darwin almost 200 years
ago, will investigate the
local wildlife and
ecosystems to solve a
mystery!
 What’s  Today we will make similar observations to the
one’s Charles Darwin made on his five-week
Going on 
visit to the Galapagos Islands
Let’s read some of his diary entries to get in the
Here? right mindset
September Entries
 7th -The Beagle sailed for the Galapagos.
 15th - on the 15th she was employed in surveying the outer
coast of Chatham Island, the S. Eastern one of the
Archipelago.
 16th - The next day we ran near Hood's Isd & there left the
Whale boat. In the evening the Yawl was also sent away on
a surveying cruize of some length. The weather now &
during the passage has continued as on the coast of Peru,
a steady, gentle breeze of wind & gloomy sky. We landed
for an hour on the N.W. end of Chatham Isd. [Cerro
Tijeretas] These islands at a distance have a sloping uniform
outline, excepting where broken by sundry paps & hillocks;
the whole black Lava, completely covered by small leafless
brushwood & low trees. The fragments of Lava where most
porous, are reddish like cinders; the stunted trees show little
signs of life. The black rocks heated by the rays of the
Vertical sun, like a stove, give to the air a close & sultry
feeling. The plants also smell unpleasantly. The country was
compared to what we might imagine the cultivated parts
of the Infernal regions to be.
This day, we now being only 40 miles from the Equator, has
been the first warm one; up to this time all on board have
worn cloth clothese [sic], & although no one would
complain of cold, still less would they of too much warmth.
The case would be very different if we were cruizing on the
Atlantic side of the Continent.

Source for entries: http://www.galapagos.to/TEXTS/DIARY.HTM

Image source:: https://.broketourist.net
September Entries continued

 17th - The Beagle was moved into St Stephen's harbor. We found there an
American Whaler & we previously had seen two at Hoods Island. The Bay
swarmed with animals; Fish, Shark & Turtles were popping their heads up in all
parts. Fishing lines were soon put overboard & great numbers of fine fish 2 &
even 3 feet long were caught. This sport makes all hands very merry; loud
laughter & the heavy flapping of the fish are heard on every side. After dinner a
party went on shore to try to catch Tortoises, but were unsuccessful. These
islands appear paradises for the whole family of Reptiles. Besides three kinds of
Turtles, the Tortoise is so abundant that [a] single Ship's company here caught
500-800 in a short time. The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by
large (2-3 ft.) most disgusting, clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous
rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. Somebody calls
them “imps of darkness.” They assuredly well become the land they inhabit.
When on shore [Puerto Grande] I proceeded to botanize & obtained 10
different flowers; but such insignificant, ugly little flowers, as would better
become an Arctic than a Tropical country. The birds are Strangers to Man &
think him as innocent as their countrymen the huge Tortoises. Little birds, within
3 or four feet, quietly hopped about the Bushes & were not frightened by stones
thrown at them.
Let’s Look at
These Birds a In some of his journals, Darwin made detailed
observations about the birds of the Galapagos
Islands. Let’s take a closer look at some of those
Little More birds…

Closely
What are some of
your observations
about these birds?

Discuss and Answer:

 Generate at least 10
observations with your
partner, with at least 2
per bird.
 What might each of
these birds be good at
based on their
physical features? List
at least one possibility
per bird.
  In science, the name of the game is observe,
Observe, Observe.

Discuss and Answer:

Additional  What observations did you make about the

Observations finches' habitats? Answer with at least four
observations.
 Do you think there is a relationship between the
finches’ physical features and their habitats?
Why or why not? Answer in at least four
sentences.
The Finches

 These are all the

finches that Darwin
catalogued on his visit
to the Galapagos.
What do you notice?
Compare and
contrast, generally
and with at least three
specific examples.
 Now that you’ve observed these finches’ physical
features and habitats and compared/contrasted
them, synthesize your ideas into a hypothesis that

Bring it All answers the following question:

Why do you think these birds are specialized to do

Together what they do?

Use at least three pieces of evidence to support

your hypothesis.
The Question of Genetics

 Genetics tells us the creation of new physical features occurs

through mutations in DNA. But these mutations are random. If these
mutations are indeed random, how do these birds have traits that
benefit them in specific ways? Why are there no birds with harmful
traits? Answer in at least three sentences, then we will have a large
group discussion.
Natural Selection

What is How does

it? it work?
How Does Variation
Occur?
• Random mutations in DNA
• Mutations are frequent, do
not physically manifest in
individuals
• Mutations do not respond to
stresses
• Mutations that create
adaptations (larger beak,
longer neck, etc.) can be
beneficial and help that
individual survive, or
maladaptive and hurt its
chances for survival
• Individuals with beneficial
adaptations are more likely
to survive and reproduce
Source: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
SLImvXrO8Tw/VnrWO7o3YcI/AAAAAAAAAmo/CezyXHIj2BQ/s16
00/summary-of-topic-41-biodiversity-in-ecosystems-15-638.jpg
Exit Ticket

Look back at the Do Now. Has your idea of why

some species survive while others die out
changed or stayed the same? What is your new
explanation? Answer in four or more sentences.