Overview: This 10-minute film describes the research of Dr. Michael Nachman and colleagues, whose work in the field and in the lab has documented and quantified physical and genetic evolutionary changes in rock pocket mouse populations. Author/Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grade level: 6-8 Time: 10 minutes Teaching tips: HHMI provides a variety of teacher resources to accompany this video: an in-depth film guide, student quiz, and a lesson on color variation over time. Concepts: There is a fit between organisms and their environments, though not always a perfect fit. Variation is the result of genetic recombination or mutation. The variation that occurs within a population is random. Evolution results from natural selection acting upon variation within a population Traits that are advantageous often persist in a population. Individual organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and have offspring. The number of offspring that survive to reproduce successfully is limited by environmental factors. Natural selection is dependent on environmental conditions. Environmental changes affect opportunities and can influence natural selection. A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. There is a fit between the form of a trait and its function, though not always a perfect fit. There is variation within a population. Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observations, comparisons, and modeling) to collect evidence. Teacher background: Genetic Variation Adaptation Natural Selection

Comment on this resource

Share how you used this resource in your classroom, suggestions for modifying it, and whether you liked using it.

<< Back to search results