Science.8.13.C

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The student is expected to describe how variations of traits within a population lead to structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations that influence the likelihood of survival and reproductive success of a species over generations.
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Knowledge and Skills Statement

Organisms and environments. The student knows how cell functions support the health of an organism and how adaptation and variation relate to survival.

the process or product of the process by which the traits of a population change over time to better fit the environment in which the population lives

the basic unit of life; a collection of organic matter (cytoplasm) surrounded by a membrane, containing biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, and which has the ability to metabolize and replicate itself

a group of interbreeding organisms of the same species within an environment

the passing of genes onto the next generation in a way that too can pass those genes on; a tally of the number of offspring produced by an individual

a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding

specific variations in the characteristics of organisms received from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission

Research

Hettiarachchi, Tamshi, Victoria M. Schilling, Todd Campbell, Jane O'Donnell, and Janine Caira. “Army Ants and Their Guests: Learning From the Miniature Societies of Army Ants as a Model for Understanding Group Behavior and Natural Selection.” Science Scope 43, no. 8 (2020): 44–53. https://digital.nsta.org/publication/?i=657639&article_id=3655245&view=articleBrowser

Summary: "Army Ants and Their Guests: Learning From the Miniature Societies of Army Ants as a Model for Understanding Group Behavior and Natural Selection" focuses on a possible unit on army ant group behavior and how natural selection has shaped the evolution of other insects, "guests" that are closely associated with them.

Research

Kovach, Amy L. “Adapting to the Environment: Helping Students Understand Natural Selection.” The Science Teacher 70, no. 2 (2003): 30–33. https://www.proquest.com/docview/214617628/fulltextPDF/D830EB5E597408DPQ/14?accountid=7113&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Summary: “Adapting to the Environment: Helping Students Understand Natural Selection” provides a synopsis of research on peppered moths and their adaptations and possible classroom activity to simulate the natural selection process leading to these adaptations. Specific connections between predator/prey relationships, the importance of the adaptive value of traits within an organism's genetics, and how variation and camouflage influence natural selection.