Deep time Geologic timeline Sexual Selection Hominid skulls Extinction Environment Anthropologist Paleoanthropology Mosaic evolution Evolutionary transformation	Home sapiens derived traits primitive traits Adaptive strategies Specialization Hadar skull Lucy Laetoli Footprints First Family Adaptive radiation Adaptation	Tetrapod Bipedal Hominid Cladogram Mating rituals Competition Habitat Predators Australopithecus africanus Hominid fossils Homo neanderthalensis

In science, what is a Theory?

Evolution is one of the most powerful ideas ever to emerge from science. It is the very foundation of biology and the key to understanding our own human origins. The mechanism of evolution helps determine who lives, who dies, and who gets the opportunity to pass on traits to the next generation. At the same time, evolution ranks as one of the most widely misunderstood scientific principles in America today.

Remember as you learn about evolution, science is an ongoing process, not a final conclusion. In science, change is expected and accepted. If something isn't testable, it isn't science. In science you never prove, only disprove.

Have some fun and dive deeper into how evolution works by visiting the web activities listed below. This should add to your understanding of evolution and what it entails.

(Remember to Read the instructions for each activity)

Web activity Deep time

Web activity The Mating Game

Web activity Origin of Species

Web activity All in the Family

Web activity Evolution videos

Assignment 1.8 a  - Evolution: How does it work? & Humans
Scoring criteria

Check your understanding of Evolution by answering the following questions (Use the links above):

Part 1. Deep Time activity

1. What is "deep time"?
2. How long ago did the birth of the solar system take place? In which Eon and Era?
3. How long ago did reptiles first appear on earth? In which Era and period?
4. In what Era and period did mammals first appear? How many years ago? What characteristics did true mammals evolve?
5. In what Era and Period did flowering plants first appear? How many years ago? How long ago did grasses become one of the most important organisms on the plant? Why is it so important?
6. What were the effects of an extinction that took place 206 mya? What is hypothesized to be the cause?
7. How long ago did the first ancestors (early humans) of modern humans appear on earth? In which Era and Epoch?
8. How long ago did the first hominids evolve? In which Era and Epoch?
9. How long ago did the first modern humans appear on earth? In which Era and Epoch?
10. In what Eon did the continents begin to shift? What Era? How many mya?
11. In what Era did the ozone layer form? How many million years ago (mya)? Why is this change so important?
12. In what Era and how many million years ago (mya) did oxygen near present-day levels?
13. In what Era and how many million year ago (mya) did the continents near present-day positions?

Honors biology: complete this question along with the Deep time questions above.

  14. Draw a geologic timeline starting roughly  4.5 billion years ago to present. Include all major geological time divisions.

Part 2. Mating Game

1. Determine who is the best mate for the following and explain why (give the common name and species for each): Use this answer table
   • Darren
   • Stefan
   • Elizabeth
   • Clarice

   • Carol

 Honors biology: Instead of the Mating Game activity in part 2, complete the Flashy Fish simulation at this link

• also do the discussion questions (number 3) and bring them to class to discuss.

• Here is a word doc of the questions for the Flashy Fish simulation.

Part 3. Origin of Species

1. What is a honeycreeper?
2. What is adaptive radiation?
3. How many species of Lemurs currently live in Madagascar?
4. Read through each detailed map of the Pollenpeeper home environments to gather information on how the birds have evolved in each of the environments after the storm. Construct a table comparing the differences between the conditions during the present time and 5 mya. Honors biology include 3 mya on your table. (One table for each location comparing: bird type/description, competition, habitat, food, predators)
5. Comparing all of the Pollenpeeper from each location, how have they changed over time from the Pollenpeeper that existed 5 mya? (give descriptions)
6. What do you think has caused these changes? Explain your answer.
7. Which location do you think has show the most evolutionary change? Why?

Part 4. All in the family

1. How are all living things related?
2. What are primitive traits?
3. What are derived traits?
4. How can comparing primitive and derived traits help scientist determine which organisms are most closely related?
5. Complete the (pick the closest relatives out of a lineup) activity. List the two closest relatives for each game and give at least 3 explanations of scientific evidence to support your choices. (areas to choose from: anatomy, development, molecular)
6. Draw each of the correct evolutionary trees. (3 total)

Part 5. Evolution Videos

1. List the seven videos.
2. Which of the seven videos seems most interesting to you? Why?
3. Pick two to watch. Honors biology pick 3 videos. Use close caption option if you do not have sound capabilities. Give a brief summary of the videos.