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Lesson summary for...
Fire ants invade and evolve
Author/Source: UC Museum of Paleontology |
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| Overview: | Understanding the evolution of fire ants may help scientists control the spread of these pests, which have already taken over much of the U.S.! |
| 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.
- Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.
- Natural selection acts on individuals and populations in a nonrandom way.
- Natural selection acts on phenotype as an expression of genotype.
- Populations evolve.
- The proportion of individuals with advantageous characteristics may increase due to their increased likelihood of surviving and reproducing.
- Scientific ideas are developed through reasoning.
- Our understanding of life through time is based upon multiple lines of evidence.
- Scientists use experimental evidence to study evolutionary processes.
- As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
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| Grade Level: | 9-12 |
| Time: | 40 minutes |
| Teacher Background: | Explore these links for additional information on the topics covered in this lesson: |
| Teaching Tips: | This article uses clear language, helpful explanations, and useful images--but it does get into some advanced applications of natural selection. This resource is probably best used with advanced students who already have a basic understanding of natural selection. |
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