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Overview:
Evolutionary biologist Leslea Hlusko's research takes her from the deserts of Ethiopia, where she hunts for hominid and primate fossils, to a baboon colony in San Antonio where she takes thousands of measurements of the primates' imposing canines. This research profile describes how the two projects are linked by a hunt for genetic variation, a key component of natural selection.Author/Source:
UC Museum of Paleontology Grade level:
9-12 Time:
40 minutes Teaching tips:
This research profile includes discussion and essay questions that can be assigned to students. Get tips for using research profiles in your classroom. Concepts:
Correspondence to the Next Generation Science Standards is indicated in parentheses after each relevant concept. See our conceptual framework for details. - Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- There is a fit between organisms and their environments, though not always a perfect fit. (LS4.C)
- The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
- The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
- There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms.
- Anatomical similarities of living things reflect common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population. (LS4.B)
- 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.
- 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 can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
- Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data. (P2, P3, P4, NOS1)
- Science is a human endeavor. (NOS7)
- Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
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