5/13/2014Give an example of an organism that is well-adapted to its environment.Explain why it is well-adapted.

Today’s Goal

OI can explain how species adapt and populations evolve.

Today’s Plan

1.Natural Selection2.Beak Lab

Natural SelectionO“Survival of the fittest”OIndividuals that fit best with

the environment survive and reproduce to pass on their “good” genes

Charles DarwinOStarting in 1831, spent nearly 5

years sailing around most of the world

OStudied lots and lots of speciesOPublished his findings in 1859 in

the book On the Origin of Species

Darwin’s Main Points1. Every population has variations.2. Some variations are better than

others.3. The offspring that survive have

good traits.4. Populations change over time.

There are 2 types of worms: worms that eat at night (nocturnal) and worms that eat during the day (diurnal). The birds eat during the day and seem to be eating ONLY the diurnal worms. The nocturnal worms are in their burrows during this time.

Which worms are selected AGAINST?How does this population have variations?Which variation is favorable?

How will the population change over time?Which worms will survive?

There are 3 types of polar bears: ones with thick coats, ones with thin coats and ones with medium coats. It is fall, soon to be winter. The temperatures are dropping rapidly and the bears must be kept warm, or they will freeze to death.

Which bears are selected AGAINST?How does this population have variations?Which variation is favorable?

How will the population change over time?Which bears will survive?

In ostriches, there are 2 types: ones that run fast and those that run slowly. The fast birds can reach up to 40 miles an hour. Jackals love to eat ostrich, and they can reach speeds of up to 35-40 miles per hour.

Which ostriches are selected AGAINST?How does this population have variations?Which variation is favorable?

How will the population change over time?Which ostriches will survive?

There are two types of rabbits: those that strictly eat grass and those that strictly eat berries and flowers. A drought occurs one year, and the plants have difficulty producing any extras (flowers, berries, etc.). They can only try and keep themselves green.

Which rabbits are selected AGAINST?How does this population have variations?Which variation is favorable?

How will the population change over time?Which rabbits will survive?

Natural Selection