Darwin and His Theory of Natural Selection

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Darwin and His Theory of Natural Selection

Let’s explore Darwin’s theory in more detail. Follow the steps below.

Log onto http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html

Once at the website, click on the button that reads, “Learn about Natural Selection”.

Theory of Natural Selection:

Part 1: Every ___________________ exhibits (or shows) _____________________.

“Not all members within a species are exactly the same. Individuals frequently exhibit variations in _________________, ____________________, _____________________, etc. Some variations are subtle, others can be more __________________.”

Part 2: Many __________________ are passed from parents to their ___________________.

“You can see how this happens just by looking in the mirror. You may have inherited your mother’s eye color, or your father’s height. “

Part 3: Life in the wild is _____________________, and organisms with the most _______________________ traits will prosper. This is commonly known as “___________________________________.”

“If and organism is born with traits that help it survive or attract mates, it will likely produce more offspring than rivals without those traits. Eventually, beneficial traits can spread throughout a species.”

Directions: NEXT, Click on the “Glossary” to complete the following vocabulary terms.

1) Evolution- An overall change of a population’s gene pool over time through processes such as mutation and natural selection.

2) Natural Selection- A process that explains how organisms with traits and genetic _______________________ that are beneficial to __________________ in their environment are passed down to future generations while those less ________________ dwindle in population.

3) Trait- A genetic characteristic among ______________ organisms in a species.

4) Species- a group of organisms that resembles one another and are able to __________________ among themselves.

5) Variation- a _________________ in a characteristic or trait from one organism in a species to another in the same species.

6) __________________- The children of a parent; a descendant.

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Next, Read Darwin’s Bio.

Click on the Survival Game and READ through all the instructions. Read the “HINTS “ and try to create a species that will survive 1,000,000 years.

In the space provided, explain the two environmental changes that took place during the game and what variations you selected to help your species survive.

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Directions: Click on the Natural Selection Quiz and record your answers below.

1) In the first part of the explanation of Darwin’s theory of natural selection, every species exhibits what? ___________________________________________________________

2) What was the name of the ship that Darwin served as naturalist aboard from 1831 to 1836? ____________________________

3) Natural selection is only one of the processes of evolution. What is one other process that can cause in a species over time? ___________________________________

4) A species of organism has survived in a mild environment for thousands of years. Suddenly, the climate becomes much colder. Which of the following traits might help the species to survive? ____________________________________

5) In 1835, Darwin studied variations in plants and animals on the Galapagos Islands. The islands are located off the coast of what major continent? ____________________________________

6) Which of the following traits might be passed from parent to offspring but not necessarily be beneficial to the survival of the species? ____________________________________

7) Part 3 of Darwin’s theory of natural selection states that life in the wild is competitive, and organisms with the most beneficial traits will prosper. What is this commonly known as? __________________________________

8) In what book did Darwin publish his main theories on evolutionary selection? ____________________________________

9) Freebie, What do you think the answer is? ____________________________________

10) In the survival game, how long are you trying to keep your theoretical species alive and prospering? ____________________________________