1. Evolution/Adaptations MA Curriculum Strands
10. Give examples of ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and the diversity of organisms. 11. Recognize that evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provides the basis of the theory of evolution. 12. Relate the extinction of species to a mismatch of adaptation and the environment.

2. Define the following: Species Evolution Variation Adaptation
Gradualism
Punctuated Equilibrium

3. Describe Natural Selection
See page 159.
Copy the Table 1 and summarize

4. Compare and Contrast Acquired Characteristics with Natural Selection
1.Organisms have more offspring, much more than can survive.
2. Variations occur among the species. Ex: different colored fur on rabbits
3. Variations are passed to offspring. (Babies)
4. Some variations are helpful… those with these variations have a reproductive edge.
5. Over time individuals w/variations dominate the population…become a separate species
Natural Selection
Hypothesis: Acquired Characteristics
Characteristics developed during a parent’s lifetime will be passed to the offspring.
Ex: bodybuilders creating a muscular child-False
Both explain how organisms change over time!
Same

5. Evolution Summary
Evolution is the result of random mutations in a species.
Mutations = Variations
Helpful variations = Adaptations
Adaptations give organisms an advantage and they reproduce and pass these traits down and eventually dominate and over very long periods of time become a new species.
Environmental pressures = Space, food, predators.
Can be a slow or rapid process

6. Evidence for Evolution
Group 1
Fossils
Group 2
Aging & Embryology
Group 3
Homologous
Vestigial Structures
DNA