Understanding Evolution

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Understanding Evolution

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Home → Teach Evolution → Lessons and Teaching Tools → Teaching Resources Database → Speciation: An illustrated introduction

Speciation: An illustrated introduction

Grade Level(s):

  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • 13-16
  • General

Source:

  • TED-ed

Resource type:

  • Video

Time: 15 minutes

Overview

This video illustrates the speciation process in birds to help explain the basis of earth's biodiversity. Registration may be required to view the discussion and multiple choice questions that accompany the video.

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  • [History of life: Grades 6-8] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time.
  • [History of life: Grades 9-12] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time. (LS4.A, LS4.D)
  • [History of life: Grades 13-16] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation is the splitting of one ancestral lineage into two or more descendant lineages.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation is often the result of geographic isolation.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation requires reproductive isolation.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] A species is often defined as a group of individuals that actually or potentially interbreed in nature.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Speciation is the splitting of one ancestral lineage into two or more descendant lineages.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Speciation is often the result of geographic isolation.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Speciation requires reproductive isolation.
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
  • Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans

13-16 teaching tips:
This video is best for introductory biology courses.