Conceptual Survey: Evolution

1. Conceptual Survey: Evolution Please get out a piece of paper

2. In this task... • You will be shown a series of statements made by biology students. Read them carefully, then sort them into one of two categories: • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

3. Statement 1 of 7 • (Pepper Moths) During times of environmental change, caterpillars would be aware that their environment is changing and would try to change the color of their skin to blend in. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

4. Statement 2 of 7 • (Seal diving time) Ancestral seals that could stay underwater for 10 minutes survived longer than seals that could stay underwater for 5 minutes. As time went on, in each generation, the seals that could stay underwater and hunt the longest could survive better. Eventually the competition became so big that seals that could stay underwater 45 minutes are now the ones that survive and reproduce. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

5. Statement 3 of 7 • The colder the winter gets, the more cold the arctic foxes will get, so they would have to start growing their fur. They can’t will themselves to grow extra fur, but it should happen over many years. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

6. Statement 4 of 7 • (Cave salamanders) The first salamanders probably lived in sunshine. A few might have ventured into caves and had babies. The offspring would have less use for their sight in the caves. Eventually (after years of offspring) the salamanders would have no use for their eyes and they will cease to function. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

7. Statement 5 of 7 • The ancestors to porcupines didn’t have quills. They needed quills for defense. So nature gave them quills so they could defend themselves from predators. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

8. Statement 6 of 7 • When the fruit flies were sprayed with pesticides, the pesticide caused a mutation that made the fruit flies immune to it. So after a while the pesticide stopped working. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.

9. Statement 7 of 7 • (Polar bears) In the past, there were northern bears with variation in color just like every species. Those with lighter fur had a better chance of surviving in snowy winters, and a better chance of reproducing. Since the darker bears were more likely to be killed it was less likely that they would have a chance to reproduce and pass on these traits. • A = Evolutionary biologists would agree with this. • B = Evolutionary biologists would disagree with this. • Then explain your choice in writing.