Natural Selection Scientific Investigation
Before you begin this assignment, make sure to download the Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
In populations, there is variety in phenotypes, which causes some of the individuals within the population to have phenotypes that make them better suited for the environment in which they live. Because those individuals are better suited for the environment, they survive and have the ability to reproduce, which means that they pass on those traits that made them better suited for the environment. This is called natural selection.
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. Specifically, make a prediction on how selecting "Equator” as the Environment, “Brown Fur” as the Mutation, and “Wolves” as a Selection Factor will impact the rabbit population after several generations. Record this hypothesis in the Hypothesis section of your Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report.
Required Simulation
Natural Selection Simulation
(click on image below to access simulation)
Provided by: PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado
http://phet.colorado.edu
Procedure and Data Collection
Part 1: Explore the Simulation
Take a few minutes to explore the simulation:
Part 2: A Changing Population
Now, use the following directions to record data for the Data Analysis and Conclusion sections of your Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report.
Data
Using the Data section of the Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report, make sure to complete all requested data on the report itself.
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions:
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of your Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion about the relationships between the selection factors, mutations, and populations of species that you examined in this scientific investigation. Was your hypothesis true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your simulation experience to form your conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the Natural Selection Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.