Microevolution

Microevolution

PART 1: EVOLUTION 101

--Go to http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IVMicroevolution.shtml and proceed to the definition of microevolution page.

1. How do the authors of this page define microevolution?
Microevolution is evolution on the small scale. In one population.
2. How do they define a population?
Population is a group of organisms that interbreed with each other and share a gene pool.

--Read the section “Mechanisms of Microevolution”

3. Summarize each of the 4 mechanisms of microevolutionary change that are discussed.
Mutation Some genes have been randomly mutated but this is rare.
Migration some members of a population with a certain gene migrated to population with another gene and bred
Genetic drift when a population reproduces by random luck more of one genes end up in the offspring then in the parents
Natural selection preditors eat one color of beetle because they stand out while the other blinds in.

--Under “Explore further” at the bottom of the page, click on “examples of microevolution” and read the examples provided.

4. Summarize the 3 examples of microevolution on this page.
Size of sparrows sparrows in the north are bigger then sparrows in the south because larger bodied birds survive lower temperatures better.
Global warming some species use the summer to for growth and reproduction. With warmer summers they have more time for growth and reproduction
Resistance pesticides herbicines and antibolic resistance are examples of natural selection.

--Go to the link “Artificial selection in the lab” and read about experiments with the evolution of guppies.

5. Summarize the results of the two different experiments (with and without predators).
With the predators the guppys changed to blind in with their eviroment. Without the predators the guppys changed to stand out to attract the females.
6. What types of selection were demonstrated in each experiment? Are these experiments truly cases of artificial selection? Explain your answer.
With the predator it was natural selection because the guppy changed to bend in so it doesn’t get eaten. Without the predators it was genetic drift.

--Click on the quick quiz link to go to the quiz.

7. Pick your three favorite questions from the quiz and write how you would answer them if you were teaching this class.
How can microevolution happen? It can happen from mutations change in DNA migration or genetic drift.
Is microevolution the evolution of small things? No it is evolution on a small scale.
My dad says we shouldn’t use too much pesticide. Why not? The survivers may develop a resistance.

PART 2: SEX AND THE SINGLE GUPPY

Go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/guppy/index.html

Use the simulation to test different hypotheses about why some guppies are very brightly colored even though that makes them easy for predators to find.

1. Why do some guppies tend to be drabber than others?
Some guppys are drabber then others to avoid predators.
2. Why do some guppies tend to be more colorful?
Some guppys are more colorful because the female chooses the most attractive mate and the male guppy has a chance to pass his genes on to the next generation.
3. What role does color play in guppy survival?
Color makes it easyer for predators to find them but the female also picks the best looking mate so the species keeps going.
4. Explain the push and pull that the environment (including predators) has on the coloration of guppies in Endler’s pools.
Color makes it easyer for predators to find them but the female also picks the best looking mate so the species keeps going