UWC South East Asia - Diversity, Cells and Evolution Notes

UWCSIA South East Collaboration Skills

Unit Description: B1: The Living World

  • Diversity Perspectives: Thinking about diversity from many perspectives, asking "What is life?"

  • Cellular Biology: Exploration of how cells work and achieve balance, requiring knowledge about cells.

  • Technology Impact: Understanding how technology changed the way cells and life are understood. Using a microscope and exploring how technology changes science and vice versa.

  • Organism Variation: Exploring how the great diversity of life came to be and how this variation impacts on how they survive.

  • Human Impact: Evaluating how humans impact biodiversity and how technology might be used to sustain it.

Lessons Overview

  • Lessons 7 & 8: Diversity, specialized cells, and evolution.

  • Lessons 9 & 10: Classification systems.

  • Lesson 11: Biodiversity, Earth, and Human Society.

Lessons 7 & 8: Diversity, Specialised Cells and Evolution

  • Relationship: What is the relationship between specialised cells, adaptive structures and the survival of an organism?

  • Evolution Theory: What is the theory of evolution by natural selection?

  • Impact of Diversity: To what degree does diversity of life (variation) impact on the survival of a population?

Evolution and Beliefs

  • Evolution by Natural Selection: A theory of how organisms came to be.

  • Alternative Theories: Mention of alternative theories such as creationism.

  • Respect for Beliefs: Personal beliefs are respected.

  • Assessment Focus: Understanding of evolution by natural selection will be assessed.

Adaptation, Variation and Survival

  • Example is given of the marine iguana.

Species Identification

  • Marine and land iguanas inhabit the Galapagos Islands.

  • Species Names: Conolophus subcristatus and Amblyrhynchus cristatus

  • Question: Are these animals the same species or different species?

  • Key Questions:

    • What do the same species have in common that different species do not?

Defining Species

  • Definition A: A species is a group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile, viable offspring.

  • Population: A group of the same species living together in one place.

  • Scientific Name: Members of the same species share the same unique scientific name.

  • Variation: A species can show variation.

Classifying Species - Examples

  • Examples of the same species:

    • Iguana iguana

    • Different populations of A. cristatus on the Galapagos Islands

    • Iguana iguana

Classifying Species - Non-Examples

  • Non-examples of the same species:

    • Iguana iguana and Ctenosaura sp.

Variation in Species

  • The images show comparisons of identical twins of the human species.

  • Individuals of the green iguana species (Iguana iguana) are compared.

Defining Variation

  • Definition: Any differences between specialised cells, individuals or populations of a species.

  • Causes: Can be genetic, environmental, or both.

Variation, Adaptation and Survival

  • Questions:

    • What aspect of variation can be seen across these individuals of the green iguana species?

    • Which images show individuals that are best adapted to their environment and more likely to survive? Why?

  • Relationship Question: What might be the relationship between variation, adaptation, and survival?

Adaptation and Survival

  • Adaptation: A feature of an organism that aids its survival by allowing them to be better suited to their environment.

  • Camouflage Example: Individuals that are best camouflaged are more likely to avoid predation.

  • Analogy to be completed: Variation in a species is to adaptation and survival as cooking ingredients is to a cake.

Types of Adaptations

  • Structural: Physical appearance.

  • Behavioural: How an organism acts.

  • Physiological: Based on body chemistry and metabolism (cannot usually see).

Adaptations of the Marine Iguana

  • Task A: Research and annotate adaptations of the marine iguana.

  • Task B: Classify each adaptation as structural, behavioural or physiological.

  • Task C: For two adaptations, explain how chances of survival are improved.

Marine Iguana Adaptations - Examples

  • Structural:

  • Physiological: Production of melanin (dark pigment)

  • Behavioural: include mechanism to allow homeostatic balance.

Marine Iguana Adaptations - Nutrients

  • Ancestor Environment: The terrestrial ancestors of marine iguanas landed on islands with scarce land-based food.

  • Adaptive Swimming: The iguanas adapted to become effective swimmers.

  • Tail Adaptation: Flattened tail optimises propulsion and mobility in water.

  • Seagrass Nourishment: Abundant seagrass offered nourishment, requiring the iguanas to master deep diving (behavioural trait).

  • Nose Adaptation: Blunt nose for effective grazing.

Interpreting Questions

  • Compare and contrast the shoes in the images.

  • Suggest reasons why these shoes are not practical for hiking.

  • Justify.

  • How does the action verb change the shape of the answer?

Understanding Relationships

  • Looking at the Data: Looking at the black circle data points, describe the relationship between seagrass height and snout length across different islands.

  • Relating to Survival: Explain how this relationship might relate to survival and evolution.

Comparing Animal Survival

  • Compare and contrast animal survival (%) with body size on Genovesa and Santa Fe.

  • Suggest which island the environment might have the greatest impact on the selection of individuals for survival based on body size?

Defining Evolution

  • Definition: Evolution is the cumulative change that occurs within a population between one generation and the next.

  • Heritable Characteristics: The change refers to heritable characteristics, which are coded for by genes found on DNA.

Classifying Examples of Evolution

  • Examples:

    • Development of feathered dinosaurs.

    • Echolocation in bats.

    • Antibiotic resistance in bacteria

  • Non-Examples:

    • Yellow leaves on a plant from a lack of nutrients.

    • Brown skin from being in the Sun.

Evolution by Natural Selection

  • Watch a video and annotate a diagram showing the process of natural selection.

The Process of Natural Selection:

Annotate this diagram showing the process of natural selection in your workbook.

Natural Selection: Components

  • Variation: There is genetic variation within a population which can be inherited.

  • Overproduction: Overproduction of offspring leads to competition for survival.

  • Adaptations: Individuals with beneficial adaptations are more likely to survive to pass on their genes.

  • Selection: Over many generations, there is a change in allele frequency (evolution).

Natural Selection - Simulation

  • Bird beaks are well-adapted structures that are specialised to suit particular feeding habitats.

  • There is a wide diversity of beaks to suit a wide range of environments.

Beaks as Tools

  • A bird beak is much like a tool that can effectively carry out a particular function.

  • Match the following tools (beaks) with their function:

    • Filtering

    • Probing

    • Catching insects

    • Cracking seeds

    • Tearing meat

    • Drilling holes

Natural Selection - Simulation Part A

Apparatus:

  • $2x$ trays

  • $1x$ sample of mixed mainland food

  • Separate food samples

  • Beaks ($1x$ forceps, $1x$ peg, $1x$ spoon, $1x$ toothpick)

  • Stopwatch

  • $4x$ cups

  • What is the most & least fit beak types in this environment?

Natural Selection - Simulation Part B

  • Re-write a procedure to simulate the effects of drought on the bird populations.

  • Vegetation changes due to reduced precipitation and only plants with large hard seeds survive the lack of rain.

    • Hypothesise (prediction with reasoning) which bird beak type will be the most fit for survival under the new conditions.

    • Carry out the simulation.

    • Support or reject the hypothesis with supporting data.

Generalising - Concept Roles

  1. Adaptation (specialised cells and structures)

  2. Variation (diversity)

  3. Competition

  4. Reproduction

  5. Survival of the fittest

  6. Evolution

  7. Populations

Case Study on the Octopus

  • Apply Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection to explain the evolution of one of the attributes of the octopus observed in this video.

  • Challenge: complete this activity for the giant tube worm living on the deep sea vents.

Chromatophores Case Study

  • Cell specialisation enhances the overall capabilities of multicellular organisms.

  • It allows for the division of labour, increasing efficiency and functionality of the organism.

  • For example, specialised cells in cephalopods called chromatophores allow them to change colour very quickly.

Chromatophores Case Study: System of Specialized Cells

  • You have previously learned that systems of specialised cells carry out different functions to support essential characteristics of life.

  • Do research and analyse the following diagram to explain how systems of specialised cells might carry out functions to support the survival of an octopus.

Reflection

  1. Things I have learnt.

  2. Challenge I faced.

  3. Questions I still have.

Lessons 9 & 10: Classification Systems

  • What is the scientific name of a species?

  • Why must global systematic classification be applied to the identification of organisms?

  • How can dichotomous keys be used as a practical application of classification systems?

Names of Species

  • What is the name of each of these organisms? Where do the names come from?

  • How closely related are these different species? How do you know?

What's in a Name? Identification Simulation

  1. You will be working in six groups and each group will have a set of cards with images of named organisms.

  2. Your teacher will say the name of an animal or a plant. Look through your set to see if you have the named organism. If you do, indicate this to your teacher and describe the characteristics of the organism to the class so that other groups can look to see if they have one that looks the same.

  3. Place all identified organisms together by all groups on display.

  4. Repeat steps above for other organisms.

What’s in a name? Identification Simulation

  • In what ways did this learning engagement simulate the experience of species identification globally?

  • Did this system of naming allow for effective ‘international’ collaboration and decision making? If not, how could it be improved?.

What is classification?

  1. Individually, fill in the blanks with words related to classification.

  2. Share ideas as a group.

  3. Share ideas as a class.

  4. Create your own definition for classification.

Defining Classification

  • Classification is the arrangement of living organisms into taxonomic groups according to their observed similarities.

  • At the broadest level, all life is divided into three domains, which are then further divided into six kingdoms.

Domains and Kingdoms

  • Use information presented in the video to complete this graphic organiser showing the domains and kingdoms used to group the diversity of life.

Hierarchy of Taxa

  • The hierarchy of taxa contains seven levels of classification of living things
    Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

  • What can you observe about the diversity of organisms the further down the hierarchy of taxonomic groups?

  • Dear Kate Please Come Over For Great Spaghetti

  • Do research on the American black bear and state its full classification at all levels.

Classification of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

  • Domain: Eukarya

  • Kingdom: Animalia

  • Phylum: Chordata

  • Class: Mammalia

  • Order: Carnivora

  • Family: Ursidae

  • Genus: Ursus

  • Species: americanus

Classification Table

  • Predict the name of each Kingdom in each box below (e.g. plants, animals etc.).

Prokaryotic

Eukaryotic

Unicellular

Archaea,Bacteria

Protista

Multicellular

Animalia, Plantae, Fungi

Scientific Names

  • Compare and contrast these scientific names.

  • Can you suggest the ‘rules’ to follow when writing them? Pavo cristatus

Conventions for Writing Scientific Names

  • The first letter of the genus name is written with a capital letter.

  • The first letter of the species name is written in lower case.

  • Handwritten scientific names are always underlined.

  • In italics on computer.

Essential Naming System

Why might an established global and standardised system of naming organisms be essential?

Identification Tools - Dichotomous Keys

  • What is the name of this fish?

  • What tool do biologists use to help identify and classify organisms? It’s the red-lipped batfish.

Dichotomous Keys

  • Dichotomous keys are tools that offer a series of questions to lead to the identification of a species.

  • They take two forms - ‘Spider keys’ or ‘Go to’ instructions.

  • Use each form of dichotomous key on the right to identify the following flower.
    Thinking routine: think, pair and share.

Designing Your Own Dichotomous Key

As a class, design two dichotomous keys (spider key and go to instructions) to identify these ‘organisms’.

The 7 Norms of Collaboration in Highly Effective Teams

Which of these norms will you personally be mindful about as a team member?

Dichotomous Key Design - Pasta

You have been provided with several types of pasta, pens, a large sheet of white paper and sticky tape.
In small groups, design a dichotomous key to identify each type of pasta.

Self-Assessment - My Skills of Collaboration

a) Self-assess using the instrument.
b) Identify strengths.
c) Identify 1-2 opportunities for growth.
d) Write a goal: what to achieve, how and a specific example.

Lesson 11: Biodiversity, Earth and Human Society

  • What is biodiversity?

  • Why is biodiversity significant for Earth’s health and human societies?

What is Biodiversity and Why Should We Care?

  • What are the components of biodiversity?

  • What might be some different perspectives on the value of biodiversity?

  • What connections do you have to biodiversity?

  • What personal circumstances might have shaped the way you see biodiversity?

    Defining Biodiversity

  • Definition: Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It includes genetic diversity, species diversity and habitat diversity.

  • Characteristics:

    • It is dynamic - changing over time and space.

    • It is highest where factors such as rain and light are not in limited supply.

Ecosystem Services

Biodiversity is closely interconnected with the health of Earth and therefore the well-being of human societies. Ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services.

Types of Ecosystem Services:

  • Supporting:

    • Biodiversity

    • Habitat.

    • Soil formation

    • Photosynthesis

  • Provisioning:

    • Food

    • Water

    • Medicine

    • Raw materials

  • Regulating:

    • Flood control

    • Climate regulation and air Cleaning water

  • Cultural:

    • Aesthetics

    • Spirituality

    • Recreation

    • Education

Ecosystem Services in Different Ecosystems

  • Different types of ecosystems are diverse in the ecosystem services that they provide.

    • i) Describes the biodiversity of the ecosystem (variety of species present and attributes of the ecosystem),

    • ii) A world map showing the distribution of that type of ecosystem,

    • iii) Identify and explain the most significant ecosystem services provided by the ecosystem within the four categories..

Ecosystem Services Group Project

  • As your peers present, complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the ecosystem services provided by two contrasting ecosystems.

  • How does diversity in habitats contribute to the provision of a diverse range of ecosystem services?

Why is Biodiversity Significant?

Please answer the following question in your workbook. Try to provide examples to support any claims.

Why is biodiversity significant for our planet and for human society?

Optional - The Relationship Between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

For each ecosystem service, annotate the diagram in your workbook to show how you anticipate an increase in biodiversity might influence the manner in which that specific ecosystem delivers the service. Try to support claims with specific examples.