Natural Selection Lab Handout

Objective
1. Students will demonstrate the principle of natural selection.

2. Students will explain how the process of natural selection operates.

3. Students will describe how particular traits increase the success of an organism in its environment.

Activity 1: Natural Selection Simulation

Background
Natural selection is the theory proposed by Charles Darwin as a mechanism of evolution. The overall concept is that
populations become adapted to their particular environment over time. This leads to differential survival and success in
reproduction. In general, individuals with traits that are well suited to the current environment survive and produce more
offspring than other members of the population.

Traits are also known as adaptations. They increase the reproductive success of individual organisms in a given
environment. If the environment should undergo changes then the reproductive success of populations will shift. One
well known example is the Peppered Moth. The moth is usually pale
with black speckles across the wings. This coloring gives it the ability
to camouflage itself among trees in the area. One mutation that
naturally occurs gives the moths a dark, nearly black appearance that
stands out against the trees. The number of these individuals is small in
the wild due to predation. They do not survive long enough to
reproduce. However, during the nineteenth century, it was noticed that
in specific areas the dark moths outnumbered the moths with a speckled
appearance. This is because of industrialization in urban areas and
higher levels of air pollution that actually darken the tree trunks thus
making the pale speckled moths easier prey. Adapted from Dobson, C., and S. Burton. 2006. Spork and Beans (Natural Selection, Microevolution and Adaptation). Biology Dept., Grand Valley State University.

Introduction
For this lab you will use various utensils to determine which one is the “best adapted” to collect the beans.

Question
Which group will be the most reproductively fit?

Hypothesis
Materials
cups
knife
fork
spoon
loose glove or oven mitt
bare hands
beans, any dry variety *amount varies

NOTE: In this lab you will be collecting beans using different utensils. To obtain better data, each utensil will be used three times for
a total of 3 trials. This lab may be done by one person with a different utensil each time and repeated for a total of three trials per
utensil or it may be performed my multiple people each with a different utensil and then repeated for a total of three trials. Individual
tester uses 200 beans ( ½ cup). Multiple testers use 1000 beans (1 ¼ cups).

Procedure

Individual testers
1. Find an open area to perform the lab (outside or inside will work fine).

2. Spread out approximately 200 beans (1/2 cup) in the area. Set a timer for 15 seconds.

3. At the signal pick up the fork, collect beans for 15 seconds and place in the cup.

4. Count the number of beans collected and record data. Put back the beans collected.

5. Reset timer for 15 seconds. Repeat collection and recording for a total of 3 times.

6. Using a different utensil, collect beans for 15 seconds, record data and repeat for a total of 3 times.

7. Continue until all utensils have been tested 3 times. Have fun!

Multiple testers
1. Find an open area to perform the lab (outside or inside will work fine).

2. Spread out approximately 1000 beans (1 ¼ cups) in the area. Set a timer for 15 seconds.

3. At the signal, each person pick up a different utensil, collect beans for 15 seconds, and record data.

4. Put back collected beans, repeat collection and recording for a total of 3 trials. Have fun!
Results

REQUIREMENT: Submit a clear picture of the lab in progress here. This ensures the lab was performed. Credit will not
be given if no picture is submitted.

Table 1: The amount of prey (beans) captured per Predator Adaptation (utensil).

Groups

Trial Fork Knife Spoon Glove Bare Hand

1 69 11 103 131 194

2 76 14 93 146 193

3 78 17 110 152 198

Totals 158 42 183 194 200

Place the groups on the timeline below based on their extinction rates. Populations that have smaller numbers left in the
wild will become extinct first while groups with larger numbers in the wild will last longer throughout evolutionary
history.

Evolutionary History of Predators (utensil)

Ancient knife

fork

spoon

glove

Modern bare hands

Conclusion
1. Which “predator” became extinct first? WHY?

The knife will become extinct first because the knife is not secured. The knife is flat and that causes the beans to fall off
easily.

2. What is the best suited (“best fit”) trait in this experiment? WHY?

The bare hand is the best fit trait in this experiment because it easily picks up the beans in one gulp.

3. How does this experiment relate to naturally occurring animals, e.g., birds, for example?

This experiment relates to naturally occurring animals like birds because in order for them to survive, they have to adapt
with their beak. For example, if the beans are too big and it is hard, they won’t be able to break it and use their beak.
4. Explain the statement “Individuals are subjected to natural selection, but it is populations that evolve.”

Individuals do not evolve because in populations, our genes are set and are being passed down.

5. How might a group of organisms in nature avoid extinction due to competition?

A group of organisms in nature can avoid extinction by building their own territory.