Natural Selection in the Galapagos Islands

Click here to view an animation that shows natural selection occurring on a small island called Daphne Major in the Galapagos. 

Why were the large-beaked finches able to survive the drought that occurred on Daphne Major in 1977? Why did the average beak size return to normal after the drought in 1977?

Click here to view a second animation about a fictional organism called the pollenpeeper. Witness how the pollenpeeper evolves as you observe natural selection and adaptive radiation in action.

Evolution of Organelles

Click here to view an animation that explains the Endosymbiotic Theory. It's hard to believe that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once independent cells! What do you think?

Evidence of Evolution - The Fossil Record

Click here to try a simulation that investigates how scientists piece together events in the Earth's history. How did you do?

Co - Evolution

In order to survive and reproduce, each organism must adapt to its physical environment, as well as to the other organisms in that environment it shares relationships with. As you dive through Australia's Great Barrier Reef in this Evolution Web feature, you'll discover relationships that have evolved between the resident organisms. Some are predators and prey; others compete for space, food, or mates; and still others are dependent or codependent on each other. 

Can you identify examples of co-evolution that occur in the Great Barrier Reef?

Evolution Games!

Sea Monsters Adventure Game - Can you survive the seven deadliest seas of all time in this game? Take the plunge!


Big Al Game - Eat enough to grow from a hatchling to an adult male Allosaurus. There are four levels to progress through as you gain more weight. At the start of each level you will be asked a question. How you answer will affect your life as Big Al.


How did you do? Did you enjoy the games? Were they helpful in understanding the principles of evolution?

Evolution Videos from Class

Click here to view the evolution videos from class. Which video was your favorite? Most helpful? Why??

Natural Selection Animation

Click here to complete an animation about natural selection. You will play the role of a GOONEY BIRD. GOONEY BIRDS eat UNIQUE bugs and always capture the first bug they see. There are 3 rounds of hunting. You have to capture a specific number of bugs in each round. Remember to capture the FIRST bug you see! At the end of the 3 rounds, you will see the colors of the surviving and captured bugs.


What traits allowed the offspring to survive? What colors were most commonly represented by the surviving bugs? What colors were most commonly represented by the captured bugs? What explains this difference in color?

Stem Cell Research

Click here to read an article about stem cell research.

Click here to read an article by JDRF  (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) that explains how embryonic stem cells can be used in diabetes research.

What do you think about stem cell research? Is it ethical or unethical? Who should pay for this research - the government or private donations?

Extra Credit - Evolution

Interested in receiving extra credit? Read one article listed below. Write a summary of the article and explain how it is related to the Living Environment curriculum. Be sure to include the name, date, and publication of the article in your assignment. You can receive up to 5 points for your summary. Limit 1article per student. Due Wednesday, 5/5/10, but feel free to hand in your assignment at any time. 

Where Did All the Flowers Come From?

Scientists Offer More Evidence on What Dinosaurs Looked Like

Researches Identify Possible New Human Group With DNA From Bone

Remarkable Creatures - The Evolution of the Great White Shark

Paper Challenges Ideas About "Early Bird" Dinosaur

Remarkable Creatures -Darwinian Details on Origins of Snakes and Snails

New Data Shed Light on Large Animal Extinction

Museum to Display Historic Cabinet That Belonged to Alfred Russel Wallace

Fossil Skeleton From Africa Predates Lucy

DNA From Bone Shows New Human Forerunner

Twins!

Click here to view an animation about identical and fraternal twins.

Does anyone know what type of twins are featured in the picture at the right? How do you know?


Special thanks to Sarah P. and Ashley L. for suggestion this post!

Fetal Development Animation

Fertilization and Differentiation Animation

Menstrual Cycle Animation

Click here for an animation about the menstrual cycle.

Click here for a second animation about the menstrual cycle. This one is more advanced, but helpful.

Female Reproductive System

Click here to access a website about the female reproductive system. On the website, click on the diagram of the female reproductive system, and then if you click on each of the organs a bubble will appear with information about the organ.
1. What are the main female hormones?
2. What hormones stimulate the gonads to produce their hormones?

Male Reproductive System

Click here to access a website with information on the male reproductive system.
On the website you will find links to articles with useful information on human general health. Which articles and pieces of information did you find more interesting?
1. Where does meiosis occur in males?
2. What is the product of meiosis in males?
3. What is the main hormone produced by the testicles?
4. What is the function of this male hormone?
5. Can you identify and describe the function of three organs of the male reproductive system?