It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives.

It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.

-Charles Darwin

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2 Charles Darwin ......................................................................................................................... 3 Survival Game Comments .............................................................................................................. 3 Questions ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Extra Credit ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Natural Selection Review ...................................................................................................... 6 Darwin VS. Lamarck ................................................................................................................ 7

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Evolution: Natural Selection

INTRODUCTION Have you ever heard someone say that humans come from monkeys? Well, this is not true, BUT it is true that humans, monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees share a common ancestor. In fact, humans are considered primates. Now if you are like me, you are probably wondering what organism is the ultimate common ancestor? Many scientists believe that every organism on this planet shares a common single- celled ancestor, and the reason we see so many different organisms living today is due to the process of evolution. Now what does this mean? How is this possible? How did all organisms evolve from one? Lets explore

CHARLES DARWIN Charles Darwin is the founder of the theory of Natural Selection. To learn about him and his theory, go to this website: http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html. Play the survival game and name 2 things that you learned or 2 things you thought were interesting. Then answer the following questions.
SURVIVAL GAME COMMENTS

QUESTIONS

1. What does it mean for a species to exhibit variation? List 4 specific examples of variation within a population of your choice.

2. Do all species exhibit variation? Give an example. 3. Why do individuals have the traits they have? Can these traits change in one's lifetime? Do all offspring of one generation have the same traits? Explain your answers.
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Evolution: Natural Selection

4. Why do you think that life in the wild is competitive?

5. What does survival of the fittest mean? Why did the 'fittest' survive? List some possible reasons why some individuals survive and why other die out.

6. Not all individuals survive the way they are and not all die out, some change or evolve. How do populations of species change over time? What role does the environment play in this?

7. Create your own species with at least 3 variations among the populations. Now introduce an environmental change and explain what will happen to

your species in effect. Who survives? Who does not? Now introduce a second environmental change. Explain what becomes of your species. What does Charles Darwin call this form of evolution?

EXTRA CREDIT

1. What was the name of the ship Darwin sailed around the world? 2. Where did Darwin find most of the variations in plants and animals? This is also where Darwin made his most famous observations of the finches.

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Evolution: Natural Selection

NATURAL SELECTION REVIEW Now that you have learned a little about Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection, lets review. There are 3 main criteria required for Natural Selection to occur. Search online for an educational website to find what these criteria are. After you have found them, list them along with the site you used, and explain why those criteria are necessary for Natural Selection.

DARWIN VS. LAMARCK Charles Darwin and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck had very differing views on the evolution of species. Watch the following video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8KIvICfGEM&feature=related ) and explain both Darwinian and Lamarckian ideas on evolution. Then explain why Darwins theory is the accepted theory. You may do additional research to back your responses. If you do, make sure to site them.

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