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Natural Selection Experiment Kit

Natural Selection Experiment Kit. Fisher Catalog # S19454 Lab Aids No: 91 $65.00. Objectives. Describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation Relate environmental change to changes in organisms Explain how natural selection causes populations to change.

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Natural Selection Experiment Kit

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  1. Natural Selection Experiment Kit Fisher Catalog # S19454 Lab Aids No: 91 $65.00

  2. Objectives • Describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation • Relate environmental change to changes in organisms • Explain how natural selection causes populations to change

  3. When to fit this into the curriculum • Students should have a basic understanding of Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection. • Students should be able to define the struggle for existence and organism fitness. • Students should have a basic understanding of ecology

  4. Background Knowledge • Before England’s Industrial Revolution began blackening the bark of trees with smoke & soot, the predominant variety of peppered moth had light-colored, speckled wings that blended with lichen covered tree bark. This camouflaged them from predators . • Black winged mutant moths were a rare variation. The first was captured in 1848.

  5. As the tree trunks became darker, the light speckled variety of moths were easier for predators to prey on. By 1900 the black peppered moths outnumbered the light variety by 99 to 1. None could be found between 1952-1964.

  6. Test Darwin’s Famous Theory • Experiment simulates the predator-prey relationship that changed the balance of nature for the light and dark peppered moth

  7. Lab Contents • 3 black environment trays • 3 green environmental trays • 3 sets of moths (59 total) ranging in color from white – gray - black • 3 sets of squares (82 total) ranging in size from ½” to 2 inches • 1 set of resealable bags • 30 Data charts • 1 instructional manual

  8. Procedure • Each student group should obtain a data chart and an environment tray. • Students with a dark tray need to obtain a set of moths. Students with a light tray need to obtain a set of squares. • Students will arrange their moths or squares in the environment tray • Each student will then pick 5 moths from their tray and tally them according to the sizes & shades chosen on the data card

  9. After each student tallies their results they should trade their environmental trays, moths, or squares with a group that has the opposite color tray, moths, or squares. • Students should again count out 5 moths or squares from their new material • Class totals can be determined for completion of a graph

  10. Further • Discuss the possible future of moth variations • Smoke control laws passed in England during the 1950’s have provided a cleaner habitat for the light peppered moths. Surveys done in 1966 & 1969 collected 25 light moths out of 972 total moths, indicating a change occurring in color again.

  11. Thoughts? • http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/peppermoth_paper.html • http://www6.district125.k12.il.us/~nfischer/Moth/ • Are these just as good?

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