UC Berkeley
Grade Level(s):
- 13-16
Source:
- Herreid, Clyde Freeman
Resource type:
- Classroom activity
Time: portions of several class periods
Overview
This case study is based on a 2005 journal article that deals with the issue of sexual vs. asexual reproduction and their relative merits a question that has bedeviled biologists for more than a century. The article serves as the final stage of this case focusing on why sex is useful (at least in some circumstances).
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction.
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] An individual's fitness (or relative fitness) is the contribution that individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation relative to other individuals in the population.
- [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Authentic scientific controversy and debate within the community contribute to scientific progress.
There are no NGSS/DCI concepts currently linked to this resource.
Use this resource to relate evolutionary concepts to the topics of meiosis and animal reproduction (or get more suggestions for incorporating evolution throughout your biology syllabus). The case study includes extensive teaching tips. You may use it in class in its entirety or may choose to assign one part as homework. Cited references in the case provide opportunities for extensions that include the primary literature. It is written for a general biology class, but would also be appropriate for use in an evolution or ecology course.