By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Explain the different ways natural selection can shape populations
Describe how these different forces can lead to different outcomes in terms of the population variation
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Define population genetics and describe how scientists use population genetics in studying population evolution
Define the Hardy-Weinberg principle and discuss its importance
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the different types of variation in a population
Explain why only natural selection can act upon heritable variation
Describe genetic drift and the bottleneck effect
Explain how each evolutionary force can influence a population's allele frequencies
College-level course focusing on the principles of genetics. Course topics include structure and function of genes, chromosomes and genomes, biological variation, population genetics, use of genetic methods to analyze protein function, gene regulation, and inherited disease. Course features include lecture notes, assignments and solutions, and exams and solutions.
This 18-minute video lesson provides an introduction to evolution, variation in a population, and Natural Selection. [Biology playlist: Lesson 1 of 71].
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
This 13-minute video discusses how the Owl Butterfly may have gotten the spot on its wings. [Biology playlist: Lesson 5 of 71].
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
This explanation of genetic drift is straightforward and easy to understand. Illustrations are provided to help visual learners
This 20-minute video lesson discusses how variation can be introduced into a species. [Biology playlist: Lesson 7 of 71].
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
Have you ever noticed the types of beaks different birds have? The most important fucntion of b ird bill is feeding, and it is shaped according to what a bird eats. The bill is one of the characteristics used to identify birds. You can learn about bird behavious by looking at the bill and thinking about what it easts. Then you may think about where it lives, and so on.
Paul Andersen reviews the major within the first unit on natural selection. He starts by defining evolution and explaining how evolution can occur in a population. He reviews the population genetics and camouflage lab. [13:04]
Paul Andersen explains how the behavior of various organisms is shaped by natural selection. The action of phototropism and the timing of photoperiodism have both been shaped by the relative availability of light. Courtship in the bower bird determines the success of offspring. [9:02]
In this video, Paul Andersen defines natural selection as differential reproductive success. He then explains how natural selection shapes organisms on our planet through variation and selection. A K-12 teaching progression is also included. [5:33]
Paul Andersen explains how natural selection is a major mechanism in evolution. The video begins with a discussion of Charles Darwin and the details of natural selection. The data of the peppered moth during the industrial revolution is used to show the process of adaptation. [10:15]
In this interactive activity from Shedd Aquarium, build a fish and then release it into the reef to search for food and evade predators. Try different combinations and observe how each kind of fish has unique adaptations that help it survive in its habitat.
In this video segment from NatureScene, explore Cartwheel Bay, a wetland in South Carolina, and learn about the variety of carnivorous plants native to this unique landform.
College-level online course highlighting the fundamentals of ecology. Course topics include coevolution of the biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere; photosynthesis and respiration; and the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles. Other topics include energy flow through the biosphere and changes in ecosystems. This course features selected lecture notes, assignments with solutions, projects and examples, and exams with solutions.
Explore how populations change over time in a NetLogo model of sheep and grass. Experiment with the initial number of sheep, the sheep birthrate, the amount of energy sheep gain from the grass, and the rate at which the grass re-grows. Remove sheep that have a particular trait (better teeth) from the population, then watch what happens to the sheep teeth trait in the population as a whole. Consider conflicting selection pressures to make predictions about other instances of natural selection.
Learn how a cow eats and digests food in this video segment from Nature.
This video segment from Evolution: "Darwin's Dangerous Idea," together with interviews with Daniel Dennett and James Moore, depicts Darwin struggling with publicizing his revolutionary theory. [6:34]
