Unit 4: Evolution

Study Guide
S7L5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information from multiple sources to explain the theory of evolution
of living organisms through inherited characteristics.
Vocabulary: Complete the following chart using the definitions obtained in class
Word Definition
Fossil The trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago most commonly
preserved in sedimentary rock.
Adaptation A characteristic that improves an individual’s ability to survive and
reproduce in a particular environment.
Ancestor A person from who you are descendant.

Evolution The process in which inherited characteristics within a population change

over time.
Mutation A change in the DNA.

Acquired Trait A learned trait.

Natural Selection The process by which individuals that are better adapted to their
environment survive better than less well adapted individuals.
Variation A difference or deviation in structure from other in the same species or
group.
Speciation The formation of new species as a result of evolution.

Geographic Speciation The formation of a new species as a result of a group being separated by a
physical barrier.
Fitness An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular
environment.

S7L5a: Use mathematical representations to evaluate explanations of how natural selection leads to changes in
specific traits of populations over successive generations.
During the Industrial Revolution in England, soot and other industrial wastes darkened tree trunks and killed of lichen.
The light colored variation of the peppered moth became rare and the dark colored variation became more abundant.
Eventually, light colored variations were common in only a few areas, far from industrial areas. In the 1950’s, biologist
Kettlewell did an experiment using both variations of peppered moths. Use the data below to answer the following
questions:
Light moth Dark moth
Non-industrial woods 14.6% 4.7%
Industrial woods 13% 27.5%

1. What does the data suggest about the number of light colored moths vs. dark colored moths in each of the
locations?
The data suggest that the light colored months are more abundant in non-industrial woods and less in industrial
woods. On the other hand, the dark colored moths are more abundant in the industrial woods and less in non-
industrial woods.
2. What is meant by “non-industrial woods”? “Industrial woods”
Non-industrial woods are woods that do not have soot or industrial waste to darken the trees. Industrial woods are
those that have been darkened by soot and other industrial waste.
 3. Kettlewell observed the birds in the area as well. The birds are the main predators to the peppered moths.
a. Based on the data, which moths were the birds eating in the “non-industrial woods”? How do you know?
The dark moths were eaten more in these woods since the percentage is lower.
b. Based on the data, which moths were the birds eating in the “industrial woods”? How do you know?
The light moths were eater more in these woods since the percentage is lower.
S7L5b: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variation and environmental
factors influence the probability of survival and reproduction of a species.
There are four parts of Natural Selection. Each helps us explain how genetic variation and environmental factors
influence the probability of survival and reproduction of a species.
Complete the chart below with the correct descriptions and example of each part.
Natural Selection Part Explanation Example

Overproduction Most species produce far more Spiders, sea turtles

offspring than can possibly survive

Inherited Variation Any difference between individuals Rabbits, dogs

of the same species

Struggle to Survive Struggle between organisms for Any organism

the limited resources in a habitat

Successful Reproduction Whenever an organism leaves Any organism

more successful offspring than
another, in time its genes will come
to dominate

S7L5c: Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, and
extinction of organisms and their relationships to modern organisms.
1. Explain the importance of rocks that contain fossils.
Rocks that contain fossils (sedimentary rocks) are important since they contain traces/remains of organisms
from the past.
2. Explain how fossils provide information about extinct species.
Fossils provide us with information about what they looked like as well as what environment they live in.
Use the following two charts to complete questions 3 and 4 regarding fossils.

We can tell about how long the organism has existed on Earth, and how different plants and animals are related to
each other

It can tell us each organisms’ ancestors as well as how they are connected