Lesson summary for...

Evo in the news: Superbug, super-fast evolution

Author/Source: UC Museum of Paleontology
Overview:Methicillin-resistant staph infections now contribute to more US deaths than does HIV. This news brief from April of 2008 explains the quirks of bacterial evolution that make them such a threat.
Concepts:This lesson covers the following concepts:
  • Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population.
  • Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.
  • Natural selection acts on individuals and populations in a nonrandom way.
  • As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
Grade Level:9-12
Time:20 minutes
Teacher Background:Explore these links for additional information on the topics covered in this lesson:
Teaching Tips:This article includes a video podcast, a set of discussion and extension questions for use in class, and hints about related lessons that might be used in conjunction with this one.