Name: ______Period: ______

Evolution WebQuest

Part A: Have some fun and play “Darwin’s Evolution Game” @ http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html. Answer the questions as you are able to. Be sure you are answering the entire question!!!!

1.  What does “survival of the fittest” mean?

2.  How would you describe your starting environment? What kinds of landforms are present? What kind of vegetation is there? Anything else that is noteworthy?

3.  Draw your 3 starting variants of your species and describe why you chose the ones that you did in the table below. What advantages did you think they might have over some of the other options?

Trial #1

Picture of variant / Reason for choice
1.
2.
3.

How long did your species survive? ______

4. Repeat the above until you make it to 1,000,000 years!! Use a blank sheet of paper to make the table to show your variants and label them “Trial #2”, “Trial #3” and so on.

5. Once your species has succeeded, take the quiz on the site and write in the letter to the correct responses below:

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Name: ______Period: ______

1. ____

2. ____

3. ____

4. ____

5. ____

6. ____

7. ____

8. ____

9. ____

10. ____

11. What was the name of the guy pictured on the right page?

______

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Name: ______Period: ______

Part B: In a group of up to 3, investigate a variety of types of evidence for evolution. Your team will be responsible for learning about fossil evidence, structural evidence, and genetic evidence for evolution. Fill out the chart below to show what you have learned! (Just a reminder: each group member needs to fill out every section on their sheet!)

1.  Each group member should be responsible for one of the following areas: anatomy and physiology, paleontology, and molecular biology. Anatomists study the structure of organisms, physiologists study the function of organisms, molecular biologists study genetics, and paleontologists study fossils.

2.  Review the sites on the HW page that apply to your specialty. Feel free to use the links provided there or find credible ones on your own.

3.  Find two to three specific examples of evidence for evolution. Also, try to find the date on which the evidence was discovered.

4.  Talk to your group members and share the information that you gathered about your specialty. Complete the chart below as you gather information.

Special areas of interest / Evidence (drawings or descriptions) / Why is this information significant?
Anatomy
Molecular Biology
Paleontology

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