Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection proposes that in a given population, individuals that possess advantageous traits have a better chance of surviving and reproducing, passing down these beneficial traits to their offspring. The activities in this unit, including Here Today, Peppered Moths, Fork Birds, and Unicorn Island, all provide evidence to support Darwin's theory.
Here Today is a simulation that models the process of natural selection. In this activity, students play the role of predators and prey in a simulated ecosystem. The predators have a higher chance of survival if they are better adapted to the environment, and the prey have a better chance of survival if they possess advantageous traits such as speed or camouflage. This activity demonstrates how advantageous traits are naturally selected over time as they confer a greater chance of survival.
Peppered Moths is a classic example of natural selection in action. The activity explores how changes in the environment, such as the increase in pollution during the Industrial Revolution, can have a significant impact on the survival of a species. The dark-colored moths had an advantage in the polluted environment, as they were better camouflaged against the soot-covered trees, and were therefore less likely to be preyed upon. This led to an increase in the proportion of dark-colored moths in the population, demonstrating how natural selection can result in a shift in the genetic makeup of a population over time.
Fork Birds is another simulation that models natural selection. In this activity, students play the role of birds that must compete for food resources. The birds with longer beaks are better adapted to extract food from deep crevices, while birds with shorter beaks can more efficiently extract food from shallow crevices. This activity demonstrates how natural selection can favor different traits depending on the environmental conditions and the available resources.
Unicorn Island is a fictional simulation that explores the process of natural selection in a fun and engaging way. In this activity, students design their own unicorns with different physical traits and compete against each other in a virtual ecosystem. The unicorns with advantageous traits, such as wings or strong horns, have a better chance of surviving and passing down these traits to their offspring, while unicorns with less advantageous traits are less likely to survive.
In conclusion, the activities in this unit all support Darwin's theory of natural selection by providing examples of how advantageous traits are naturally selected over time, resulting in a shift in the genetic makeup of a population. These activities demonstrate how natural selection operates in a variety of different contexts, from simulated ecosystems to real-world examples of environmental change.