Description
This lab uses predatory selection to demonstrate how an organism's "fitness" is entirely dependent on the environment they live in. By acting as the predator, you are the force that determines which genetic traits are "passed on" to the next generation and which are removed from the gene pool.
Activity Description
The Natural Selection SIM focuses on cryptic coloration (camouflage). In this simulation, the "prey" (likely insects or small mammals) come in two varieties: Gray and Brown. As you hunt, you will naturally find it easier to see the prey that stands out against the background. Over several rounds, you will notice a "shift" in the population; the prey that matches the environment will survive to "reproduce," while the other color will slowly disappear. This is the heart of Evolution by Natural Selection.
� � Natural Selection Lab + SIM Background Natural selection is a process that causes some traits to become more common in a population over time. Individuals with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits on to future generations. In this simulation, you will explore how a predator affects the survival of prey with different colors in varying environments. The environment will influence which prey survive, showing how traits can be selected based on camouflage and other survival advantages. In this simulation, you will be the predator, eating prey with two possible colors: ____________________ and ____________________. At the start of each simulation, the population of prey is roughly ____________________ split between gray and brown. Hypothesis For each environment, predict which prey color you think will survive better: 1. Grassland Environment: In the grassland, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. 2. Mountain Rock Environment: On the mountain, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. 3. Desert Sand Environment: In the sandy desert, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. Data Table 1 Data Table 2 Data Table 3 Graph Averages: Data Analysis Questions 1. How does camouflage help prey survive? 2. Over time, what do you think would happen to future generations of prey in each environment? 3. How does this simulation demonstrate natural selection?
Highlights
Save even more with bundles
Description
This lab uses predatory selection to demonstrate how an organism's "fitness" is entirely dependent on the environment they live in. By acting as the predator, you are the force that determines which genetic traits are "passed on" to the next generation and which are removed from the gene pool.
Activity Description
The Natural Selection SIM focuses on cryptic coloration (camouflage). In this simulation, the "prey" (likely insects or small mammals) come in two varieties: Gray and Brown. As you hunt, you will naturally find it easier to see the prey that stands out against the background. Over several rounds, you will notice a "shift" in the population; the prey that matches the environment will survive to "reproduce," while the other color will slowly disappear. This is the heart of Evolution by Natural Selection.
� � Natural Selection Lab + SIM Background Natural selection is a process that causes some traits to become more common in a population over time. Individuals with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits on to future generations. In this simulation, you will explore how a predator affects the survival of prey with different colors in varying environments. The environment will influence which prey survive, showing how traits can be selected based on camouflage and other survival advantages. In this simulation, you will be the predator, eating prey with two possible colors: ____________________ and ____________________. At the start of each simulation, the population of prey is roughly ____________________ split between gray and brown. Hypothesis For each environment, predict which prey color you think will survive better: 1. Grassland Environment: In the grassland, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. 2. Mountain Rock Environment: On the mountain, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. 3. Desert Sand Environment: In the sandy desert, I predict ____________________ will survive better because __________________________________________________. Data Table 1 Data Table 2 Data Table 3 Graph Averages: Data Analysis Questions 1. How does camouflage help prey survive? 2. Over time, what do you think would happen to future generations of prey in each environment? 3. How does this simulation demonstrate natural selection?
