Label and explain how natural selection is at work in the four diagrams.

Yellow caterpillars are easier for birds to spot (and eat). Brown caterpillars are more likely to survive to produce offspring. They pass their genes for brown coloration to their offspring. In the next generation, brown butterflies are more common than in the previous generation. If the population of caterpillars were 100% yellow, natural selection would not have any effect because the genetic make-up of the population of butterflies could not be selected due to predation over time.

Natural selection:

1. Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes to the next generation of offspring.

Artificial selection:

1.  Breeders choose which organisms continue to the next generation of offspring. 

Original DNA Sequence: T  A  C  A  C  C  T  T  G  G  C  G  A  C  G  A  C  T

Mutated DNA Sequence:   

T A C  A  C  C T  T  A  G  C  G  A  C  G  A  C  T

What kind of mutation is this?

Substitution 

Genetic engineering:

Changing the DNA in living organisms.

Genetically Modified Organisms

called GMOs, organisms that have had their DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering.

Transgenic Organisms:

Trans: change Genic: genes 

Transgenic means that one or more DNA sequences from another species have been introduced into by artificial means.

another species

Gene therapy:

When disease-causing genes are cut out and a beneficial gene is inserted.