Lesson Summary: Angling for evolutionary answers: The work of David O. Conover

Lesson summary for... Angling for evolutionary answers: The work of David O. Conover Author/Source: UC Museum of Paleontology

Overview:	Human activity has certainly affected our physical environment - but it is also changing the course of evolution. This research profile follows scientist David O. Conover as he investigates the impact of our fishing practices on fish evolution and discovers what happened to the big ones that got away.
Concepts:	This lesson covers the following concepts: Artificial selection provides a model for natural selection. Evolution results from selection acting upon genetic variation within a population. Evolution acts on what exists. Natural selection acts on phenotype as an expression of genotype. Scientists pose, test, and revise multiple hypotheses to explain what they observe. Science is a human endeavor. As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
Grade Level:	9-12
Time:	30 minutes
Teacher Background:	Explore these links for additional information on the topics covered in this lesson: Artificial Selection Natural Selection Relevance
Teaching Tips:	You might use the guiding questions at the beginning of this article to stimulate class discussion after students have read the article.