Lesson Summary: Exploring Variation and Heritability

Lesson summary for... Exploring Variation and Heritability Author/Source: MUSE

Overview:	Students explore the natural variations present in a variety of organisms by examining sunflower seeds and Wisconsin Fast Plants™ to consider the role of heredity in natural selection.
Concepts:	This lesson covers the following concepts: Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population. Traits that are advantageous often persist in a population. The process by which advantageous traits are maintained and disadvantageous traits are weeded out of a population is known as natural selection. Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction. Natural selection acts on individuals and populations in a nonrandom way. Populations evolve.
Grade Level:	9-12
Time:	Two to three class periods.
Teacher Background:	Explore these links for additional information on the topics covered in this lesson: Genetic Variation Adaptation Artificial Selection
Teaching Tips:	Ten days prior to the activity you will need to plant several pots of Wisconsin Fast Plants ™ so that they have true leaves by the time of the activity. Students use graphs and statistical tools.