A. The scientific theory of evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology.
B. The scientific theory of evolution is supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence.
C. Organisms are classified based on their evolutionary history.
D. Natural selection is a primary mechanism leading to evolutionary change.
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Also Assesses:
- Clarification :
Students will explain and/or describe the conditions required for natural selection that result in differential reproductive success.
Students will explain and/or describe the scientific mechanisms, such as genetic drift, gene flow, and nonrandom mating, resulting in evolutionary change.
Students will explain and/or describe how mutation and genetic recombination increase genetic variation.
Students will identify ways in which a scientific claim is evaluated (e.g., through scientific argumentation, critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative explanations).
- Content Limits :
Items will not address descent with modification or common descent.
Items addressing mutation and genetic recombination in relation to increasing genetic variation must be assessed in the context of evolution.
Items will not assess the Hardy-Weinberg principle or genetic equilibrium.
Items may address how meiosis contributes to genetic variation but may not assess the steps or stages of meiosis.
Items assessing a scientific claim are limited to the topics discussed in SC.912.L.15.13, SC.912.L.15.14, and SC.912.L.15.15.
- Stimulus Attributes :
None specified - Response Attributes :
None specified - Prior Knowledge :
Items may require the student to apply scientific knowledge described in the NGSSS from lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge of SC.7.L.15.2, SC.7.L.15.3, SC.7.L.16.1, SC.7.L.16.3, SC.7.L.17.3, SC.7.N.1.7, SC.6.N.2.2, and SC.7.N.2.1.
SC.912.L.15.14 Discuss mechanisms of evolutionary change other than natural selection such as genetic drift and gene flow.
SC.912.L.15.15 Describe how mutation and genetic recombination increase genetic variation.
SC.912.N.1.3 Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.
- Test Item #: Sample Item 1
- Question: Over time, the climate of an island became drier, which resulted in changes to the populations of various island finch species. Finch populations with a certain beak shape thrived, while those not having that beak shape decreased. Which of the following describes a necessary condition for these changes in the finch populations to occur?
- Difficulty: N/A
- Type: MC: Multiple Choice
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Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades 9-12
Explore three conditions required for natural selection and see how these conditions lead to allele frequency shifts in a population.
Describe the conditions required for natural selection and tell how it can result in changes in species over time. In this interactive tutorial, follow Charles Darwin through a life of exploration, observation, and experimentation to see how he developed his ideas.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Explore three conditions required for natural selection and see how these conditions lead to allele frequency shifts in a population.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Describe the conditions required for natural selection and tell how it can result in changes in species over time. In this interactive tutorial, follow Charles Darwin through a life of exploration, observation, and experimentation to see how he developed his ideas.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Educational Game
The software application, which allows the students to simulate natural selection in a population of dots, goes along with a tutorial which is also at this site.
Type: Educational Game
Perspectives Video: Expert
This video is a natural selection for learning about evolution.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Expert
Tutorials
This Khan Academy tutorial explains how the owl butterfly might have evolved the spots on its wings through natural selection.
Type: Tutorial
This short video describes the process of antibiotic resistance. Right now, you are inhabited by trillions of micro organisms. Many of these bacteria are harmless (or even helpful!), but there are a few strains of ‘super bacteria' that are pretty nasty -- and they're growing resistant to our antibiotics. Why is this happening? Kevin Wu details the evolution of this problem that presents a big challenge for the future of medicine.
Type: Tutorial
Video/Audio/Animations
This simulation shows the spread of a favorable mutation through a population of pocket mice. Even a small selective advantage can lead to a rapid evolution of the population.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
This is a lesson about phenotypical variation within populations and how these differences are essential for biological evolution. Students will use a model organism (in this case, kidney beans) to explore variation patterns and subsequently connect these differences to artificial & natural selection. The NGSS’ CrossCutting Concepts and Science & Engineering Practices are embedded throughout the lesson.
The main learning objectives are:
- Using a model (kidney beans) to explore the natural variations within a population.
- Measuring differences between individuals in a population (population of beans).
- Describing how genetic/phenotypic variation is a key part of biological evolution because it is a prerequisite for natural selection.
- Demonstrating in which ways genetic variation is advantageous to a population because it enables some individuals to adapt to the environment while maintaining the survival of the population.
The NGSS Performance Expectations covered are HS-LS4-2. & HS-LS4-4.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
Virtual Manipulative
Students will explore natural selection by controlling the environment and causing mutations in bunnies. This will demonstrate how natural selection works in nature. They will have the opportunity to throw in different variables to see what will make their species of rabbit survive.
Type: Virtual Manipulative
Parent Resources
Perspectives Video: Expert
This video is a natural selection for learning about evolution.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Expert
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
Pick up a new idea about how to teach concepts related to natural selection in this video!
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea