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Evolution of Fur Color in Mice – Mutation, Environment and Natural Selection

Four differently colored miceStudents view a brief video that presents research findings concerning the roles of mutation and natural selection in the evolution of fur color in rock pocket mice.

Multiple-choice questions in the video and analysis and discussion questions in the Student Handout guide students to a better understanding of mutation, environment, and natural selection.

Students learn how the same trait can evolve independently in different populations and how analysis at multiple levels from the molecular to the ecological contributes to a better understanding of evolution by natural selection.

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in online instruction and distance learning. The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

AttachmentSize
NaturalSelectionMouseColorSHO.docx2.22 MB
NaturalSelectionMouseColorSHO.pdf407.77 KB
NaturalSelectionMouseColorTN.docx1.9 MB
NaturalSelectionMouseColorTN.pdf424.03 KB
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iwaldron's picture

Answer key

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 11/18/2020 - 10:08am.

The Teacher Notes provide information about how to request the answer key as well as background information and instructional suggestions.
Ingrid

Patricia 's picture

answer key

Submitted by Patricia (guest) on Tue, 11/17/2020 - 12:26pm.

wanted to work with my students but can't find ansswer key am I missing something

Ann Dixon's picture

Dr. Waldron’s comment

Submitted by Ann Dixon on Thu, 11/19/2020 - 9:48am.

I just wanted to make sure you saw Dr. Waldron's response above. Best wishes!

Mary Ellen Sutherland's picture

Biology and Chemistry

Submitted by Mary Ellen Sutherland (guest) on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 11:12am.

Great site and a source of new and interesting addition to class and lab work. Thank you.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

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Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

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