Question: How do populations Evolve?

Objective: Investigate how a population can evolve through:

· Darwin’s theory of Evolution

· Population Genetics and the modern synthesis

· Variations and Natural selection

Directions:

Working in pairs each group will become knowledgeable on one of the listed sections below by reading, researching and discussing the topic.
Groups will also understand how topic relates to the big question, “How do populations evolve?”.
From this groups will create a power point presentation that will concisely convey their understanding of the topic to their peers in the class on presentation day.
Read carefully over this rubric that will be used to assess each group’s performance on this assignment.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
1	13.2	Darwin proposed natural selection as the mechanism of evolution
2	13.3	The study of fossils provides strong evidence for evolution
3	13.4	A mass of other evidence reinforces the evolutionary view of life
4	13.5	Connection: Scientist can observe natural selection in action
Population genetics and the Modern synthesis
5	13.6	Populations are the units of evolution
6	13.7	The gene pool of a non-evolving population remains constant over the generations
7	13.8	Connection: The Hardy-Weinberg equation is useful in public health science
8	13.9	In addition to natural selection, genetics drift and gene flow can contribute to evolutions
9	13.10	Connection: Endangered species often have reduced variation
Variation and Natural Selection
10	13.11	Variation is extensive in most populations
11	13.12	Mutation and sexual recombination generate variation
12	13.13	Connections: The evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a serious public health concern
13	13.14	Diploidy and balancing selection preserve variation
14	13.15	The perpetuation of genes defines evolution fitness
15	13.16	Natural selection can alter variation in a population in three ways
16	13.17	Sexual selection may produce sexual dimorphism
17	13.18	Natural selection cannot fashion perfect organisms