Name: Joseph Gallardo

PT 6.1: Natural Selection

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Learning Targets
(HS-LS4-2) I can construct an explanation based on evidence from the relationship between
genetic variation, advantageous traits, and the evolution of a population.
(HS-LS4-4) I can construct an explanation using evidence showing how the process of natural
selection causes a population to adapt to environmental changes and evolve over time.

Guiding Questions
1. What role do traits play in affecting an organism’s ability to reproduce?
2. If an ecosystem/environment changes, how can a population adapt?

Background Information
In 1831, Charles Darwin’s observations led him to develop
the idea of evolution, which explains how populations
change over time.
Darwin discovered how the adaptations that an organism
had helped it survive and reproduce in its environment.
Animals that were better adapted had a higher chance of
surviving and passing on their traits to their
offspring--this process is called natural selection. From
generation to generation, populations continue to change as they become better adapted, or
as their environment changes.
Natural selection causes a trait to become more or less common in a population over the
course of multiple generations. Not all change over time is the result of natural selection.
Natural selection requires three “ingredients”:

1. Variation: Does the trait vary among individuals in the population?

2. Heritability: Is the trait influenced by genes that pass from parents to offspring?

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 3. Reproductive advantage: Are individuals with a certain trait variation more successful
at reproducing than others?

Task 1 - Background
DIRECTIONS: Read the document: Is it Natural Selection? Then fill out the following for the
charts:
● The name of the organism.
● The trait the organism displays.
● Provide evidence for the variability, heritability, and reproductive advantage of that
organism due to the trait.
● Lastly, is it an example of natural selection? (Only yes if all three “ingredients” are a yes).

Example:
Organism: Stalk-eyed flies Trait: Eye-span

Variability Heritability Reproductive advantage

Yes, individuals have Yes, the eye span/body Yes, males with longer eye spans
different eye spans. length of sons resembles are more likely to get a mate.
that of their fathers.

Is this an example of Natural Selection? Yes

Experiment#1:
Organism #1: Finch Trait: Beek depth

Variability Heritability Reproductive advantage

Yes, beak depth was an Population ranged from 8 to Male with the widest eyes are
unimportant trait for getting 11 mm with the mean of particular.
food and heritable trait. 9.2mm.

Is this an example of Natural Selection? yes

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Experiment#2:
Organism #2: crayfish Trait: snails

Variability Heritability Reproductive advantage

They found that the snails Snail population separated in Male reproductive do the most
were larger in the streams the lab; they let them mate then female what i have read is
with crawfish. and raised their offspring. that male are the ones who do
themselves as females.

Is this an example of Natural Selection?

Experiment#3:
Organism #3: pingelab Trait: Pacific ocean

Variability Heritability Reproductive advantage

A typhoon struck the island .color blind they have poor The genetics fault that causes
reducing the population of vision and they cannot see color blind.
200 to just 20 people colorat all.

Is this an example of Natural Selection?

Task 2 - Build a Bird

Directions: Read the following.
Take a look at all the birds in your backyard sometime. Chances are you'll see several different
types of birds, each with different beaks, coloration, body shapes and bills. These birds live in
the same basic habitat – the city. So why are they so different?
If all birds ate the exact same food, lived in the exact same place, and tried to raise their young
in the exact same habitat, they would all be competing for the same types of food, water,
shelter, and space.
Fortunately, different birds fill different areas within the habitat. Over time, they've developed
special ways to adapt to their unique place in the environment so that they have a better
chance of surviving. Some of these adaptations or changes are physical, like the shape of the

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bill. Some adaptations are behavioral, like singing a special song.
Usually, the physical and behavioral characteristics that get passed along through the
generations are the traits that help the bird survive the best.
One of the cool ways to see how a bird has adapted to its environment is to take a close look at
its bill and feet. Bird beaks and feet come in all shapes and sizes. Each is equipped especially
suited to help that bird find food and raise young. (adapted from Project BEAK)

Directions: Go to this website Build A Bird and “build” your own bird. Make sure to choose:
● Wings ● Feet
● Head ● Habitat

1. Once you click done, screenshot or take a photo of final screen showing “chance of
survival” and upload photo here:

My bird got a 60 percent because of the wet land

2. Why do you think your bird has been given the % chance of survival? Explain.

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 He got 60 percent because he can catch is prey in the water and eat food and reach his
prey

Task 3 - Bird Beak Simulation and Reflection

Directions: In this simulation, you will take on the role of a Finch. Your beak will be
represented as utensils and you will be competing for food.
1. Write your name next to your assigned number in Table 1 below.
2. Write the names of your teammates.
3. Grab a pair of utensils.
a. each person should have two of the same (ex: 2 spoons, 2 forks, or 2 knives).
4. Write your type of beak (aka utensil) under “Beak type.” Be sure to include your
teammates' types of beaks also.
5. Make sure each person (bird) is equal distance from the bowl of food (dry pasta).
6. Your teacher will start a timer. Once the timer starts, grab as much food as you can.
7. Once the alarm goes off, count the number of food pieces you have in your bowl and
enter it in Table 1. Be sure to include your teammates' number also.

RULES:
● You CAN NOT move the main bowl of food nor your bowl.
● The person (bird) with the most food in their bowl wins (lives and reproduces).
● The person with the least amount of food will die.
● Anybody who died because their beak was not an advantageous trait takes on the traits
of the person whose beak was the best adaptation (you are now the winner’s offspring).
You will use the same utensils as the winner.
● Repeat for a total of 3 generations.

TABLE 1: Pasta Generation 1 Generation 2 Generation 3

Name Beak type # of food eaten: # of food eaten: # of food eaten:

1. Joseph spoon 245 28 201

2. Alexa Knifes 26 60 30

3. zaki forks 60 241 202

4.

Winner Beak:

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 TABLE 2: Plastic Beads Generation 4 Generation 5 Generation 6

Name Beak type # of food eaten: # of food eaten: # of food eaten:

1. joseph

2. alexa

3. Zaki

4.

Winner Beak:

Reflection Questions:
1. Explain how traits in any organism can affect the ability of that organism to reproduce
and pass on its genes? (Consider BOTH behavior AND physical traits!)
Behavior traits it likes to eat meat and fish and vreything,and that animal is very
physical it likes to fly and hunt

2. If an ecosystem/environment changes, how can a population adapt? Give an example.

Reproduction can adapt because there is food there water fish meat and woods and
stuff to make a good nest.

3. Genetic variation is a word that describes how much variety of genes/traits can be
found in a population. At the end of the 6th generation was there more or less genetic
variation in the bird population? Do you think this is good or bad? Explain why.
I don't think this bird will be seen alot o found a lot but it is good for the population so
there will not be a lot of fish in the water

4. Explain natural selection in YOUR OWN WORDS. (This must be in 2-3 paragraphs to
receive credit for this PT)
In natural selection the birds are able to adapt and fly anywhere they would like and
hunt for their food. As well as there is a lot of water and there is also a lot of food
there able to pick anything up with there feet and there beaks. Also these types of
birds are very strong and have a good bite force. There is also a lot of nature like wood
sticks, leaves and big trees so the birds are able to have a nest and nest there little
birds. I'm sure the kind of food they have at the lakes and ponds is frogs, tadpoles, big
fish snakes and who knows a lot of stuff there. I think it's good for the habitat and for
the area and the weather thor is really good it gets hot and it also gets cold and
enough food for all the animals.
t

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 MASTERY RUBRIC AND COMPLETION CHECKLIST
Learning Targets
(HS-LS4-2) I can construct an explanation based on evidence of the relationship between genetic
variation, advantageous traits, and the evolution of a population.
(HS-LS4-4) I can construct an explanation using evidence showing how the process of natural
selection causes a population to adapt to environmental changes and evolve over time.

Guiding Questions
What is the role of heritable genetic traits in affecting the birds’ ability to survive
and reproduce?
If the environment changes, what might explain why the birds would survive or go
extinct?

1 Concerns (2) Goal Achieved (3) Exceeded Mastery (4)

(Similar to a C) (Similar to a B or B+) (Similar to an A or A+)

A score of 2 means you 1) Topic and Content

did everything you were My argument has a
knowledgeable and
supposed to but your
answer may have used thoughtful response to the
some vocabulary learning target(s) and guiding
incorrectly or your use question(s).
of evidence was unclear
2) Use of Evidence and
or missing some
Analysis
important details.
My argument is supported by
information from the
provided class resources
and class activities.
❏ Real-world examples or
applications used not from the
class activity.
❏ Supported my argument with
information that was not
provided in class and cited
correctly.
❏ Used all score 4 vocabulary.
You need at least 3 boxes
checked from the above boxes
to have a chance at earning a
grade of 4 if you got a 3 on
everything else.

IMPORTANT! Any information used that is NOT learned from class MUST be cited or
you will have to redo the assignment! You must use YOUR OWN WORDS.
Required Vocabulary: If you do not use ALL of the Score 2 words you will get NO CREDIT.

Score 2 Words Score 3 Words Score 4 Words

● Advantageous traits ● Advantageous traits ● Advantageous traits

● Evolution ● Evolution ● Evolution
● Adaptation ● Adaptation ● Adaptation
● Natural selection ● Natural selection ● Natural selection
● Organisms ● Organisms ● Organisms
● Competition ● Competition
● Population ● Population
● Genes ● Genes

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● Reproduce ● Reproduce
● Extinct ● Extinct
● Overproduction
● Random Mutations
● Heritable Traits