LS.11a Skills Practice

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Explain the relationship among concepts by completing the diagram using the following terms: adaptation, genetic variation, mutation, and natural selection. 

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Compare natural selection and extinction, by labeling each statement as “natural selection” or “extinction.” 

​extinction - no traits help any survive

natural selection - traits help some survive

extinction - species disappears

natural selection - population changes

natural selection - increases beneficial traits

extinction - ends all traits of that species

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Explain how mutations differ from adaptations, by labeling each statement and example as “mutation” or “adaptation.” 

Adaptation - a trait that becomes common in a population as a result of natural selection

Mutation - the result of random change or error at the genetic level (DNA)

Mutation - There is also a naturally occurring genetic error, which causes some Peppered Moths to have almost black wings.

Adaptation - During the Industrial Revolution, air pollution blackened trees. Dark moths blended in with the dark trees, while light moths became easy prey. The dark morph became dominant.

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Interpret data from simulations that demonstrate natural selection. 

In the Natural Selection simulation, students acted as birds hunting dark and light moths on light-colored tree trunks. At Year 1, the numbers of dark and light moths were the same, each making up 50% of the population.  Students “ate” the moths that were easiest to see, causing the moth populations to change. This modeled how natural selection works.

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1. What caused the moth population to change? 

The population of dark moths decreased because the “birds” could easily see them.

The population of light moths increased because they were difficult to see them

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2. What process explains the changes in the moth population? 

Adaptation through natural selection