Grade Level(s):
- 6-8
- 9-12
- General
- Student
Source:
- UC Museum of Paleontology
Resource type:
- Online activity or lab
Time: 3-4 class periods
Overview
This interactive investigation delves into the amazing world of the arthropods and examines their success and their evolutionary constraints.
- [History of life: Grades 9-12] Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- [History of life: Grades 6-8] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time.
- [History of life: Grades 6-8] Life forms of the past were in some ways very different from living forms of today, but in other ways very similar. (LS4.A)
- [History of life: Grades 6-8] Present-day life forms are descended from past life forms; all life is related. (LS4.A)
- [History of life: Grades 9-12] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time. (LS4.A, LS4.D)
- [History of life: Grades 9-12] Life forms of the past were in some ways very different from living forms of today, but in other ways very similar. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] An organism's features reflect its evolutionary history.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] There is a fit between the form of a trait and its function, though not always a perfect fit.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] Fossils provide evidence of past life. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] Anatomical similarities of living things reflect common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] An organism's features reflect its evolutionary history.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] There is a fit between the form of a trait and its function, though not always a perfect fit.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Features sometimes acquire new functions through natural selection
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Similarities among existing organisms provide evidence for evolution. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Anatomical similarities of living things reflect common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 6-8] Traits that are advantageous often persist in a population. (LS4.B, LS4.C)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Traits that confer an advantage may persist in the population and are called adaptations. (LS4.B, LS4.C)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Scientists use anatomical features to infer the relatedness of taxa. (LS4.A)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Classification is based on evolutionary relationships.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Evolutionary relationships may be represented by branching trees (i.e. phylogenies or cladograms).
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use anatomical evidence to infer the relatedness of taxa. (LS4.A)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Classification is based on evolutionary relationships.
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.B: Natural Selection
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.C: Adaptation
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans
This resource includes a teacher's guide and student assessments. Animations and cartoons help maintain student interest in this investigation. Take home messages can be emphasized in classroom discussion. Older or advanced students can extend this learning experience by taking the "side trips" embedded in this investigation.