Many Organisms of the same species differ.
[CER] AGREE or DISAGREE biodiversity is NOT important to the future of the human race.
Make a claim. Provide your evidence and justify your reasoning. |
/ Ii / Investigate
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/ Iii / Level Up!
During this lesson you will learn more about how genetic variation among organisms affects survival and reproduction.
✎Notes:
- Sometimes the differences in characteristics between individuals of the same species provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
/ IV / choose your path
ADVANCED [+4 points]
A cottontail rabbit's fur coat changes color throughout the year. In the spring and summer, their fur is light brown. In late summer, they molt their summer coat and grow a thicker coat for winter. The winter coat is more gray in color. Explain why animals like the cottontail may be more likely to survive and have offspring than other rabbits. |
EXPERT [+5 points]
Evaluate the article, "Polar bears and climate change: What does the science say?" Use evidence from their research to justify and explain whether or not polar bears have enough variation within their populations to survive and reproduce in their rapidly changing environment and avoid extinction or not. |
MASTER [+6 points]
Research an endangered species of your choice. Explain the cause-and-effect relationship between specific variations and its impact on the ability of individual organisms to survive and reproduce in response to why that particular species is endangered today. Create a digital poster explaining your research and explain how the species you chose may or may not have enough variation to respond quickly enough to their changing environment to survive or not and offer a way people can help save this species from extinction. |
/ V / Knowledge Check
Mimicry refers to the act performed by organisms to resemble other organisms or inanimate objects to gain an advantage in their surroundings. These organisms tend to look like other organisms. There are many types of mimicry. Some may be aggressive mimicry and others may be defensive mimicry.
Monarch butterflies for example, lay their eggs on Milkweed plants, which are toxic to most insects. However, the Monarch has adapted so that its larvae eat Milkweed. As a result, they become toxic to the birds that would prey on them. They pass this trait on when they pupate into a butterfly. Birds learn to avoid eating Monarchs as doing so makes them sick. |
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The Viceroy butterfly takes advantage of this system by looking nearly the same as a Monarch. The Viceroy butterfly would make a tasty treat for many birds and other predators that like insects, but over time it has evolved to look nearly identical to another insect that isn’t so tasty, the Monarch Butterfly. The markings aren’t an exact match, but the imitation is enough to help the Viceroy survive most encounters with predators.
/ VI / redemption pointsRedemption Points
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/ VI / enrichment bonusEnrichment Bonus
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/ ViI / NExt Level (✓) Checklist:
- Can you use evidence and reasoning to construct an explanation for how variations may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing?
- Can you describe the potential benefits of a variation?
- Can you reason the cause-and-effect relationship between a specific variation in a characteristic and its effect on the ability of the individual organism to survive and reproduce?
National Research Council 2012. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13165
This site contains original content that may not be authorized for use by the creator and is legally used under the fair use principles section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1986 (17 U.S. Code § 107)
The official NGSS website. https://www.nextgenscience.org
LS4.B, 3-LS4-2
Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. (Cause and Effect) [3-LS4-2]
This site contains original content that may not be authorized for use by the creator and is legally used under the fair use principles section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1986 (17 U.S. Code § 107)
The official NGSS website. https://www.nextgenscience.org
LS4.B, 3-LS4-2
Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. (Cause and Effect) [3-LS4-2]