Lesson 1 - Evidence for Evolution

Lesson Objectives

Content Objective: To apply the different types of evidence (selective breeding, molecular evidence, homologous structures) for evolution to a specific species.

Language Objective: To discuss how selective breeding, molecular evidence, homologous structures evidence helps support the theory of evolution in whales.

Syllabus Statements:

A4.1.1—Evolution as change in the heritable characteristics of a population - "This definition helps to distinguish Darwinian evolution from Lamarckism. Acquired changes that are not genetic in origin are not regarded as evolution."
A4.1.2—Evidence for evolution from base sequences in DNA or RNA and amino acid sequences in proteins-"Sequence data gives powerful evidence of common ancestry."
A4.1.3—Evidence for evolution from selective breeding of domesticated animals and crop plants "Variation between different domesticated animal breeds and varieties of crop plant, and between them and the original wild species, shows how rapidly evolutionary changes can occur."
A4.1.4—Evidence for evolution from homologous structures - "Include the example of pentadactyl limbs."
A4.1.5—Convergent evolution as the origin of analogous structures - "Students should understand that analogous structures have the same function but different evolutionary origins. Students should know at least one example of analogous features."

Book Reference:

Activites

Activity 1 - Whale Evolution Video

i. Introduction to Evolution Video

ii. As you watch this video please write down the different types of evidence for the evolution of whales using the following categories:

Fossil Evidence
Morphological Evidence
Chronological evidence

Link to Video ( watch until 16:44)

Activity 2 - Homologous Limb - An example of divergent evolution

Evolution Video - Tetrapod Limbs

How does this differ from convergent evolution?

Activity 3 - Selective Breeding

Home Learning

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