While You Are on This Island, Your Objectives Are To

Speciation Island

Welcome to Speciation Island!

While you are on this island, your objectives are to

·  Interpret a branching tree (cladogram)

·  Create a branching tree/cladogram)

·  Explain how new species form

·  Use charts and graphs to help you deepen your ideas and understand evidence scientists use to support the theory of evolution

·  Explain how similarities in DNA are used to explain relationships between species

·  Key Terms: species, branching tree, cladogram, variation

At Home Tasks

Read Text pages 152-153

Do Q 2a 2b on page 153

Required Tasks

Task 1: Discuss phylogeny

Task 2: Lab “Cladograms”

Task 3: Read the “Nuts and Bolts of Evolution”

Required Tasks for Speciation Island

Task 1: Discuss Phylogeny

1.  With a partner, interpret the branching tree diagram at the top of page 152. Are giant pandas more closely related to lesser pandas or bears? How do you know?

2.  Watch the video “How To Build a Cladogram” at tinyurl.com/3uoabcx

3.  Read and discuss in your groups the worksheet “Understanding Phylogenies”

Task 2: Interpreting “Cladograms”

1.  Do the Cladogram Analysis worksheet with a partner. Use the insect books to read more about the insects and to determine types of mouthparts etc.

2.  Use the back of the Cladogram Analysis worksheet to construct a Cladogram to show the relationship between human, snake, monkey, and mouse

A.  Compare your cladogram to Diagram A.

a.  What do you notice?

b.  What are some conclusions you can draw about Diagram A?

c.  Record a reflection in your journal

B.  Examine Diagram B. Is it correct to say that humans evolved from chimpanzees? Support your answer with facts from what you know about cladograms. Record in your journal.

Optional Tasks for Speciation Island

Task 1: Technology Activity

Learn about Human Origins

Watch The Human Journey - In Search Of Human Origins at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vOwUtywxI8

Summarize the changes that happened in hominids over time

Task 2: Technology Activity

Watch “The Game-Changing Amniotic Egg”

a)  Watch the video at tinyurl.com/mkpkupe

b)  Explain how did the development of the egg is an example of evolution

c)  Explain how the development of the egg led to an increase in species

d)  Draw a cladogram showing the organisms that evolved from the first tetrapod

Task 3: Interpreting Diagrams

Beetle Diversity

·  Examine the picture of the beetles. What is the scientific order of beetles?

·  Do some research to find out why they have been so successful as a species. Hint: type in “why are there so many species of beetles?” into the google search bar

·  Look at the beetle section in an insect guide. What are their distinguishing features?

·  Find a beetle (outside!) to observe

Task 4: Technology Activity

Explore the Museum of Natural History’s “Human Origins”

At http://tinyurl.com/bmxqp3x

Task 5: Reading

Read “Bonobos Join Chimps as Closest Human Relatives” at http://tinyurl.com/k4euwf5 or get a handout at Speciation Island. Explain the science used to determine the relationship of bonobos to humans.