AP Biology Unit V - Evolution

Evolutionary Thought – chapter 22

Evidence of Evolution - chapter 22

Modes of Selection – Chapter 23

Population genetics - Chapter 23

Speciation - Chapter 24

Pace of Evolution

Phylogeny – chapter 25 read selected parts

Origin of Life - Chapter 26

Human Evolution Chapter 34

Hardy-Weinberg Quiz

Exam V: December _____

Unit 5 – Evolution

Essential Questions:

What are the historical contexts under which the theories of evolution have been formed, modified, resisted and accepted?
What evidences are there supporting the theories of evolution?
How did field research by Darwin lead to his development of the theory of natural selection?
How does natural selection support theories of evolution?
In what ways are the ideas of evolution “theoretical” rather than “factual”?
How do populations change over time?
How does our understanding of genetics and genetic variation help our understanding of how populations change over time?
What are the different ways in which natural selection can act as a mechanism of adaptive evolution?
What is a species?
How do new species arise?
How do different modes of speciation work?
What is the pace of speciation?
Is evolution goal oriented? Why or why not?
How old is the earth?
What were early earth conditions like?
What are the earliest evidences of life on earth?
What conditions would need to be present to sustain the beginnings of life?
What metabolic processes must exist to sustain life?
What theories are there regarding the origins of life?
What were the first living things like?

Objectives:

Discuss the historical events leading up to our modern understanding of the theories of evolution. Focus on the controversies and impediments.
Examine how geologic studies support the theories of evolution.
Examine and evaluate the different sources of evidence for evolution including fossil records.
Discuss and evaluate Darwin’s research and the conclusions he drew on his way to the theory of natural selection.
Define natural selection.
Define fitness in a Darwinian sense.
Examine examples of natural selection and evaluate how they support the theories of evolution.
Discuss alternative theories and controversies that still exist around the theories of evolution.
Explain how the underlying mechanism of genetics generates the variations upon which natural selection acts.
Explain the concepts of gene pool, populations, microevolution, allele frequencies, and selection pressures.
Explain how the Hardy-Weinberg model is used to show how gene pools change or remain stable.
Describe the five conditions held by the Hardy-Weinberg model
Show how each of the five H-W conditions lead to microevolution when violated.
Recall from earlier unit how meiosis, sexual recombination, and mutation lead to genetic variation.
Define evolutionary fitness and explain how it affects the following generations.
What is an adaptation?
Illustrate how selection can be directional, diversifying, and stabilizing for populations.
Discuss how natural selection maintains sexual reproduction.
Discuss how sexual selection generates differences between different sexes.
Explain how the change in one species can drive a change in another species.
Explain co-evolution.
Define species.
Define speciation.
Explain the concept of reproductive isolation.
Illustrate the different types of reproductive isolation.
Explain how reproductive isolation and mutations lead to speciation.
Discuss the different modes of selection.
Discuss the pace and pattern of evolution.
Discuss the history of earth based on geologic records and estimations.
Discuss early earth conditions and how they may have lead to the beginnings of life on earth.
Explain what is meant by chemical evolution as a source of the molecules needed for life.
Discuss the metabolic pathways needed for the origin of life. Review possible theories as to how these could arise under the possible conditions.
Discuss the role oxygen might have played in the end of chemical evolution.
Examine the evidence for the earliest prokaryotic and eukaryotic life forms.
Discuss the controversies surrounding the theories of the origin of life.

Activities, Readings and Viewings:

Read – Campbell chapters 22 - 26
AP Lab #8 - Population Genetics lab
Video – Evolution
Activity - Fossils
Read Excerpts from - On The Origin of Species - Darwin
Online Activity – Hardy-Weinberg Simulation
Online Activity – Evolution simulator
Quizzes
Unit 5 Exam

Web Work:

Unit V – quizzes

Daily Class Notes

(Download Smartboard software (free))

Evolution Notes

(smartboard)(PDF)(powerpt)(html)