Grade Level(s):
- 9-12
- 13-16
- General
Source:
- UC Museum of Paleontology
Resource type:
- Research profile
Time: 30 minutes
Overview
Human activity has certainly affected our physical environment - but it is also changing the course of evolution. This research profile follows scientist David O. Conover as he investigates the impact of our fishing practices on fish evolution and discovers what happened to the big ones that got away.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population. (LS4.B)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] There is variation within a population. (LS3.B)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Natural selection acts on the variation that exists in a population. (LS4.B, LS4.C)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Natural selection acts on phenotype as an expression of genotype.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Populations, not individuals, evolve.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from natural selection acting upon genetic variation within a population.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Natural selection and genetic drift act on the variation that exists in a population.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Natural selection acts on phenotype as an expression of genotype.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Over time, the proportion of individuals with advantageous traits may increase (and the proportion with disadvantageous traits may decrease) due to their chances of surviving and reproducing.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Natural selection can act on the variation in a population in different ways.
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7)
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence. (P6, NOS2)
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data. (P2, P3, P4, NOS1)
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Science is a human endeavor. (NOS7)
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientific findings and evidence inspire new questions and shape the directions of future scientific research.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Science is a human endeavor.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use multiple lines of evidence (including morphological, developmental, and molecular evidence) to infer the relatedness of taxa.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use experimental evidence to study evolutionary processes.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use artificial selection as a model to learn about natural selection.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life, for example in agriculture, biodiversity and conservation biology, and medicine and health.
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS3.B: Variation of Traits
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.B: Natural Selection
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.C: Adaptation
- NOS Matrix understanding category 1. Scientific investigations use a variety of methods.
- NOS Matrix understanding category 2. Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence.
- NOS Matrix understanding category 7. Science is a human endeavor.
- Science and Engineering Practice 4. Analyzing and interpreting data
- Science and Engineering Practice 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Science and Engineering Practice 7. Engaging in argument from evidence
9-12 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.
13-16 teaching tips:
Use this resource to relate evolutionary concepts to the nature and process of science or the topic of conservation (or get more suggestions for incorporating evolution throughout your biology syllabus). This research profile includes discussion and essay questions that can be assigned to students. Get tips for using research profiles in your classroom.