Unit Summary 

Organisms possess a variety of traits that increase their likelihood of survival. However, some traits of organisms change over time (generations) due to human and environmental influences. Those traits may be structural, behavioral, or physiological in nature. Organisms that do not adapt to changes in the environment may not survive. Organisms' traits may also be manipulated by humans in order to produce specific and desired outcomes. A dichotomous key is used to identify organisms based on observable traits.

Essential Questions

• Why would farmers choose to selectively breed cattle?
  
• How and why have the Galapagos Medium Ground Finches changed over time?
  
• How do the traits of an animal enhance its survival?
  
• What did charles Darwin believe would happen to a species over time?
  
• What is the purpose of a dichotomous key?
  
• What are the implications of selective breeding of a species?
  

Resources given in class

http://www.sophia.org
https://katyisd.instructure.com/login/ldap

Vocabulary

natural selection
selective breeding
dichotomous key
taxonomy
variety
adaptation

On-line Resources

Biology4Kids-
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_evolution.html
Charles Darwin-
http://darwin200.christs.cam.ac.uk/pages/index.php?page_id=j
Nature Works-
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep1.htm