Unit 7. Evolution (20 days)Textbook Readings

Chapters 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Essential Knowledge Questions: 1.a.1 Natural Selection is a major mechanism of evolution 1.a.2 Natural Selection acts on phenotypic variations in populations 1.a.3 Evolutionary change is also driven by random processes 1.a.4 Biological evolution is supported by scientific evidence from many

disciplines, including mathematics 1.b.1Organisms share many conserved core processes and features that

evolved and are widely distributed among organisms today 1.b.2Phylogenetic trees and cladograms are graphical representations

(models) of evolutionary history that can be tested. 1.c.1 Speciation and extinction have occurred throughout the Earth’s

history 1.c.2 Speciation may occur when two populations become reproductively

isolated from each other 1.c.3 Populations of organisms continue to evolve. 1.d.1 There are several hypothesis about the natural origin of life on Earth,

each with supporting scientific evidence. 1.d.2 Scientific evidence from many different disciplines support models

of the origin of life.

Laboratory Exercises AP® Biology Laboratory Investigation 2: Mathematical Modeling: Hardy-

Weinberg [C8] o Goal: To calculate allele and genotype frequency using the Hardy-

Weinberg theorem, to discuss the effect of natural selection on allele frequencies; to predict the effect of selection against a particular phenotypic class on allele frequency, to discuss the relationship between evolution and changes in allele frequencies (dry lab)

AP® Biology Laboratory Investigation 3: Comparing DNA sequences to Understand Evolutionary Relationships with Blast

o Goal: To use bioinformatics as a tool to determine evolutionary relationships and to better understand genetic diseases.

Chapter 21: Genetic Basis of DevelopmentDifferentiation and MorphogensisDifferential Gene ExpressionTotipotency and PluripotencyPattern formation in DrosophiliaHomeobox genes

Chapter 22: Descent with ModificationLamarck vs. Darwin theories of evolutionNatural SelectionHomologous structuresVestigial organs

Chapter 23: Evolution of PopulationsGene poolHardy-Weinberg LawAltering genetic composition (Hardy-Weinberg)Advantage of heterzygosityTypes of selection (directional, disruptive, stabilizing)

Chapter 24: Origin of SpeciesMicro vs. macro evolutionReproductive isolation mechanismsAllopatric vs. sympatric speciationPolyploidyAdaptive radiation

Chapter 25: PhylogenyConvergent evolution and analogous structuresClassification scheme: kingdom, phylum, class….CladisticsMolecular clock

Chapter 26: The Tree of LifeMiller’s experimentRadiometric dating and half lifeFirst prokaryote characteristicsEndosymbiotic theory