Understanding Evolution: your one-stop source for information on evolution
Resource library Teaching materials Evolution 101

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Clipbirds

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Overview:
Students learn about variation, reproductive isolation, natural selection, and adaptation through this version of the bird beak activity.

Author/Source:
UC Museum of Paleontology

Grade level:
9-12

Time:
One class period

Concepts:

  • Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population.

  • Traits that confer an advantage may persist in the population and are called adaptations.

  • Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction.

  • Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.

  • Random factors can affect the survival of individuals and of populations.

  • Natural selection acts on the variation that exists in a population.

  • Over time, the proportion of individuals with advantageous characteristics may increase (and the proportion with disadvantageous characteristics may decrease) due to their likelihood of surviving and reproducing.

  • There is variation within a population.

  • The number of offspring that survive to reproduce successfully is limited by environmental factors.

  • Natural selection is dependent on environmental conditions.

Teacher background:

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