LS3+(7-8)+-+9


 * Students demonstrate an understanding of Natural Selection/ evolution by …**

9a __explaining that genetic variations/traits of organisms are passed on through reproduction and random genetic changes.__

9b __gathering evidence that demonstrates evolutionary relationships among organisms__ (e.g., similarities in body structure, early development, traits).

9c differentiating between acquired and inherited characteristics and giving examples of each.

What do these GSEs mean? What subtopics do students need to address to understand these GSEs?
9a:
 * Mutations
 * Alleles
 * Independent Assortment
 * Traits on genes
 * Mitosis/meiosis
 * Punnett Squares
 * Pedigrees

9b:
 * Embryology
 * Cladograms
 * Homology (vestigial structures, homoplasy)

9c:
 * Mendel- Pea plants and Punnett Squares
 * Lamark- acquired characteristics

What ideas do students need to understand before they can address the topics described above?

 * DNA structure
 * Chromosomes
 * Basic Math Skills

What misconceptions are students likely to have about these topics?
Common misconceptions about heredity:


 * Daughters inherit most of their characteristics from their mothers. Boys inherit most of their characteristics from their fathers.
 * Variation between species is a result of adaptation to environment instead of inheritance.
 * Sexual reproduction occurs in animals but not in plants.
 * Students do not distinguish between sexual and asexual reproduction.
 * Students believe that transmitted characteristics are acquired during the life time of the animal.
 * Individuals can adapt to a changing environment. These adaptations are heritable.
 * Students can apply chance and probability to assigned genetics problems, but not to human situations in families

Common misconceptions about evolution:


 * Students have difficulty relating an individuals adaptation to environment with changes in species phenotypes over long period of time due to selection.
 * Students believe that transmitted characteristics are acquired during the life time of the animal.
 * Individuals can adapt to a changing environment. These adaptations are heritable.

Misconceptions can be found on this website: http://homepage.mac.com/vtalsma/syllabi/2943/handouts/misconcept.html#evolve

What phenomena and representations help students understand these topics?
Visual Representations:


 * Punnett Squares
 * Mitosis and Meiosis Cycles
 * Cladogram Stem Charts

What activities or activity sequences can be used to address these GSEs?
Punnett Squares
 * coin flipping activity (probability)
 * practice crosses (probability)
 * real life application (own traits and genes)

Pedigree
 * own family as example

Cladogram
 * evolution of dinosaurs to birds
 * evolution of Hominids (monkeys and humans)

Videos
 * Meiosis: http://www.youtube.com/user/tomcfad#p/u/14/8hKBHUaPo3I
 * Gene Regulation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k_oKK4Teco

Created by: Melissa W. and Jess W.