Natural Selection

Instructions:
Let’s dive into a natural selection simulation! Visit this website
(https://www.biologysimulations.com/natural-selection) in the Google Chrome
browser to conduct an experiment! As you work through the website, complete
this Google Doc.

Introduction
Click on the Introduction to learn about the game. The prey population is roughly split in half with a
phenotype of grey and brown.

Before you run the simulation, create a hypothesis for each environment. What will happen to the
phenotype (set of observable characteristics or traits of an organism) of the population as you switch
environments? (The phenotype will…because…)
Remember, a hypothesis is an IF….THEN….statement!
Example: If the organisms live in the __________ environment, then ______________ will happen to
them/their population.

1. Desert Sand Environment

If the brown organisms live in the desert sand environment, then their species will thrive

2. Mountain Rock Environment

The grey species will thrive if they live in the mountain rock environment

3. Grassland Environment
For the grass land environment, it is random on which species will survive

Lab Procedure
1. Run each simulation 3 times and record your data below.
2. Calculate and record averages for your data.
Desert Sand Environment

Trial Starting % Gray Starting % Brown Ending % Gray Ending % Brown

1 42 58 36 64

2 60 40 54 46

3 46 54 44 56

Average 49 51 45 55

Mountain Rock Environment

Trial Starting % Gray Starting % Brown Ending % Gray Ending % Brown

1 48 52 53 47

2 42 58 53 47

3 56 44 57 43

Average 49 51 54 46

Grassland Environment

Trial Starting % Gray Starting % Brown Ending % Gray Ending % Brown

1 40 60 38 62

2 38 62 44 56

3 60 40 58 42

Average 46 54 47 53

3. Insert a graph (make on Sheets or make a drawing) that displays the average data for each
environment.
(Insert Graph here)

Conclusion
Please answer the following questions:
1. Describe and explain the results from each environment.
(Type Here)
2. What could lead to different populations of the same species living in different environments?
(Type Here)
3. Grizzly bears and polar bears are very closely related, so much so that they can reproduce to
form hybrid offspring. Use your understanding of natural selection to describe how polar bears
became a separate classification from the grizzly.
(Type Here)

4. Describe how grizzly and polar bear evolution may be affected by climate change.
(Type Here)