Virtual Exploration 1. The Scientific Case for Common Descent
The site "29+ Evidences for Macroevolution: The Scientific Case for Common Descent.": http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/ delves further into the subject of macroevolution. It provides evidence that favors both common descent and macroevolution.
Read through the ‘Introduction' section. You will learn more about the definition of Universal Common Descent and evidence supporting it. - What is considered scientific evidence? (If you wish to read more about it click on the following link "Scientific 'Proof,' scientific evidence, and the scientific method': http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/sciproof.html
- Now, define Universal Common Descent.
- Do you think that there is any validity to this theory? Why or why not?
- Now find the macroevolution link and click on it: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/macroevolution.html
- Define macroevolution.
- Why is it important to gain a basic understanding of it to better understand the evolution and classification of species?
Virtual Exploration 2. Speciation
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/S/Speciation.html
This is an explanation of why and how speciation occurs, by John Kimball, Ph.D.
Read through the website about how speciation occurs. - Name three factors that contribute to speciation
- Name three mechanisms by which speciation occur. Come up with an existing example for each type (for example, Darwin 's finches demonstrate adaptive radiation).
- What evolutionary process do the house mice of Madeira demonstrate? How did the island's original house mouse population evolve into 6 separate "races" or species?
Virtual Exploration 3. What Killed the Dinosaurs?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/extinction/dinosaurs/index.html
This is the PBS website on evolution and extinction. Follow the animated program "What Killed the Dinosaurs?" you will arrive at a table of Hypotheses and Evidence about the demise of the dinosaurs.
- Click on the various hypotheses and watch the animations that explain them. You can also click on the bodies of evidence to examine them.
- Which hypothesis seems most probable to you? Why?
- Which hypothesis has the most convincing evidence to support it?
- Now click on the Conclusion link and read it. Does this conclusion agree with your own? This mystery is open-ended, so the PBS conclusion is not necessarily the only possibility.
- Do you have an alternative interpretation of the evidence?
|
