Natural Selection Simulation

Name: ______Block: ______Date: ______

Natural Selection Simulation

·  Log on to: http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Natural_Selection

·  Click on 'Run Now!' to launch the simulation

Exploration

Directions: Explore the simulation by testing its different functions and answer the questions below.

1.  What are some things that you have control over in the simulation?

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2.  What happens to the bunny population if a friend is never added? Why is this?

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3.  What happens when you add a friend? ______

4.  What happens to the population if the food is super abundant and there are no predators?

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5.  What is a genetic mutation? Write the definition. ______

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Simulation

Directions: Run the following 8 experiments. After each experiment, summarize in the chart what happens to the bunny population after you add the natural selection factor. Note: F3 refers to the third generation...this is represented by the third “spike” on the graph on the simulation.

Experiment A

·  Add a friend and a brown fur mutation to the bunny population.

·  Add the (natural) selection factor* of wolves after F3 offspring appear.

Experiment B

·  Add a friend and a brown fur mutation to the bunny population.

·  Add the (natural) selection factor of food after F3 offspring appear.

Experiment C

·  Add a friend and a long teeth mutation to the bunny population.

·  Add the (natural) selection factor of wolves after F3 offspring appear.

Experiment D

·  Add a friend and a long teeth mutation to the bunny population.

·  Add the (natural) selection factor of food after F3 offspring appear.

Experiment E

·  Repeat Experiment A in the Arctic Environment.

Experiment F

·  Repeat Experiment B in the Arctic Environment.

Experiment G

·  Repeat Experiment C in the Arctic Environment.

Experiment H

·  Repeat Experiment D in the Arctic Environment.

Results

Experiment / Describe population changes after the natural selection factor was added.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H

Conclusions

6.  Define variation. What genetic variations are presented during this simulation? ______

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7.  Define adaptation. ______

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8.  Give two examples when an adaptation is beneficial to the bunnies in this simulation.

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9.  Besides food and predators, describe three other factors which affect animal populations in the real world. ______

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10.  How does this simulation demonstrate evolution by natural selection?

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