Grade Level(s):
- 9-12
- 13-16
- General
Source:
- UC Museum of Paleontology
Resource type:
- Research profile
Time: 40 minutes
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.

- [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)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Features sometimes acquire new functions through natural selection
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Features sometimes acquire new functions through natural selection.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Similarities among existing organisms provide evidence for evolution. (LS4.A)
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
- [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Science is a human endeavor. (NOS7)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use anatomical evidence to infer the relatedness of taxa. (LS4.A)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Classification is based on evolutionary relationships.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Evolutionary trees (e.g., phylogenies or cladograms) are built from multiple lines of evidence.
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
- NOS Matrix understanding category 7. Science is a human endeavor.
This research profile includes discussion and essay questions that can be assigned to students. Get tips for using research profiles in your classroom.