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Artificially Selecting Dogs

Grade Level(s):

  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • 13-16

Source:

  • Collins, Jennifer

Resource type:

  • Classroom activity

Time: 90 minutes

Overview

Students learn how artificial selection can be used to develop new dog breeds with characteristics that make the dogs capable of performing a desirable task.

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  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection. (LS4.B)
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] People selectively breed domesticated plants and animals to produce offspring with preferred characteristics. (LS4.B)
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] People selectively breed domesticated plants and animals to produce offspring with preferred characteristics.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution can sometimes be directly observed.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] An organism's features reflect its evolutionary history.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] There is a fit between organisms and their environments, though not always a perfect fit.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] There is a fit between the form of a trait and its function, though not always a perfect fit.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Some traits of organisms are not adaptive.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] People selectively breed domesticated plants and animals to produce offspring with preferred characteristics.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 6-8] Offspring inherit many traits from their parents, but are not identical to their parents. (LS3.B)
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Scientists use artificial selection as a model to learn about natural selection. (P2)
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use artificial selection as a model to learn about natural selection. (P2)
  • [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 understanding of life through time is based upon multiple lines of evidence.
  • [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.
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS3.B: Variation of Traits
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.B: Natural Selection
  • Science and Engineering Practice 2. Developing and using models
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