Origin of Species

Origins of Species4-25-13

Key Question: What role do mutations play in natural selection?

Initial Thoughts:

Evidence: Cornell Notes

• Paste the graphic organizer with guided questions into your notebook

• Use the class copy of the reading, and take notes on the sticky notes, then place them on your graphic organizer next to the corresponding prompt.

Analysis Questions

1. Are mutations always helpful? Explain.

2. How can mutations enable the evolution of a new species to occur?

3. Under ideal conditions, bacteria have a generation time of about 20 minutes. Humans have a generation time of about 20 years. Which would you expect to evolve faster?

Summary• What did you think about the role mutations

play in natural selection before this lesson?

• What did you learn about the role mutations play in natural selection from this lesson? (Minimum of 3 sentences!!!)

• What are some further thoughts or questions you have about how the role mutations play in natural selection?

Reflection

Darwin identified 14 species of finch on the Galapagos Islands. Your friend says that this means only 14 mutations occurred within the finch populations. Explain whether you agree with your friend and why.

Big Idea