Unit 10
UNIT 10: EVOLUTION
IN THIS UNIT WE WILL EXAMINE NATURAL SELECTION, HOW SPECIES HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME, EVIDENCE THAT EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION, AND HOW EVOLUTION CAN RESULT IN THE CREATION OF NEW SPECIES. WE WILL CONCLUDE THIS UNIT WITH A TEST AND STUDY OF SPECIFIC ORGANISMS THAT HAVE EVOLVED OVER TIME.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Bio.3.4 Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection as a mechanism for how species change over time.
Bio.3.4.1 Explain how fossil, biochemical, and anatomical evidence support the theory of evolution.
• Summarize the hypothesized early atmosphere and experiments that suggest how the first “cells” may have evolved and how early conditions affected the type of organism that developed (first anaerobic and prokaryotic, then photosynthetic, then eukaryotic, then multicellular).
• Summarize how fossil evidence informs our understanding of the evolution of species and what can be inferred from this evidence.
• Generalize what biochemical (molecular) similarities tell us about evolution.
• Generalize what shared anatomical structures (homologies) tell us about evolution
Bio.3.4.2 Explain how natural selection influences the changes in species over time.
• Develop a cause and effect model for the process of natural selection:
• Species have the potential to increase in numbers exponentially.
• Populations are genetically variable due to mutations and genetic recombination.
• There is a finite supply of resources required for life.
• Changing environments select for specific genetic phenotypes.
• Those organisms with favorable adaptations survive, reproduce and pass on their alleles.
• The accumulation and change in favored alleles leads to changes in species over time.
• Illustrate the role of geographic isolation in speciation.
Bio.3.4.3 Explain how various disease agents (bacteria, viruses, chemicals) can influence natural selection
• Develop a cause and effect model for the role of disease agents in natural selection including evolutionary selection of resistance to antibiotics and pesticides in various species, passive/active immunity, antivirals and vaccines.
Tuesday, December 5 - History of Early Earth
History of Early Earth Video
Wednesday, December 6 - Evidence for Evolution
Image of whale pelvis taken from: http://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-5-evolution-and-biodi/51-evidence-for-evolution/other-evidence.html