Lesson 2: STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
LP 2.2: I can use patterns in data as evidence to revise a scientific model about the struggle within a population that leads to a change in the frequency of traits in a population.
How does structure affect function?
Why do the musk deer have fangs?
What patterns can be seen in the giraffe population over time?
Why did the neck length of Giraffes evolve?
Can an individual species evolve? Or does a population evolve?
Why does a trait need to be heritable in order for natural selection to occur?
How does competition for limited resources drive natural selection?
How is “fitness” in biology different from “fitness” in PE?
HS-LS4-2
Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors:
Potential for species to increase in number
Heritable genetic variation (mutation/ sexual reproduction)
Competition for limited resources
Proliferation of those better suitable to survive and reproduce
HS-LS4-3
Apply concepts of statistics & probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait
HS-LS4-4
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.
A connection to SAT skills can be made through the analysis of complex cause-and-effect relationships, a key component of the SAT Writing and Language section. Understanding how natural selection, genetic variation, and adaptation drive evolution involves evaluating interrelated concepts and drawing logical conclusions based on evidence. The SAT tests similar skills by requiring students to identify how different elements of a passage or argument are connected and to make inferences about cause and effect. Additionally, when examining the impact of human activity on biodiversity, students must synthesize information from different sources and understand how human actions influence the environment, which mirrors the skills needed for analyzing and interpreting data in the SAT's Science and Reading sections.
HS-LS4-2:
Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors:
Potential for species to increase in number
Heritable genetic variation (mutation/ sexual reproduction)
Competition for limited resources
Proliferation of those better suitable to survive and reproduce
HS-LS4-3:
Apply concepts of statistics & probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait
HS-LS4-4:
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.
SEE "Materials / Resources / Text / Speakers" FIELD