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Overview: In this advanced 4-lesson curriculum unit, students examine evidence to compare four different explanations for why many malarial parasites are resistant to antimalarial drugs; investigate how scientific arguments using G6PD data show support for natural selection in humans; design an investigation using a simulation based on the Hardy-Weinberg principle to explore mechanisms of evolution; and apply their understanding to other alleles that have evolved in response to malaria. Author/Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Grade level: 9-12 Time: 7 50-minute class periods Teaching tips: These lessons were designed for AP biology. A condensed lesson sequence is available. Concepts: Correspondence to the Next Generation Science Standards is indicated in parentheses after each relevant concept. See our conceptual framework for details. Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population. (LS4.B) Traits that confer an advantage may persist in the population and are called adaptations. (LS4.B, LS4.C) Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction. (LS4.B, LS4.C) The amount of genetic variation within a population may affect the likelihood of survival of the population; the less the available diversity, the less likely the population will be able to survive environmental change. Natural selection acts on the variation that exists in a population. (LS4.B, LS4.C) Natural selection acts on phenotype as an expression of genotype. Populations, not individuals, evolve. Over time, the proportion of individuals with advantageous characteristics may increase (and the proportion with disadvantageous characteristics may decrease) due to their likelihood of surviving and reproducing. (LS4.B, LS4.C) Evolution results from genetic drift acting upon genetic variation within a population. A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7) Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence. (P6, NOS2) Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data. (P2, P3, P4, NOS1) As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life. There is variation within a population. (LS3.B) Natural selection is dependent on environmental conditions. Evolution occurs through multiple mechanisms. Teacher background: Natural Selection

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