Patterns of Evolution

In the ocean surrounding Antarctica, there are fish that survive the cold water by using a molecule made of glycoproteins that circulates the blood and keeps it from freezing.  Certain kinds of worms that live in the Arctic ocean also make antifreeze proteins that help them live in icy water.

• convergent evolution

• divergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Ants are the correct size and weight needed to open the flowers for the peony plant.  The peony plant provides food for the ant and the ant fertilizes the peony’s flowers

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The kit fox lives in the desert and has large ears with greater surface area that keep the fox from getting overheated.  The red fox lives in the forest and has a red coat that keeps it camouflaged.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A form of evolution where two separate populations of the same species accumulates enough differences over time to become two distinct species, becoming more and more dissimilar.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Ostriches (birds) and giraffes (mammals) are both native to the savannahs of Africa.  They eat food that is high off the ground and share the same characteristic of an elongated neck.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Galapagos finches evolved through natural selection from a common mainland ancestor into a wide variety of different looking species.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

A form of evolution where two species having a close ecological relationship evolve together such that one species adapts to changes in the other, thereby affecting each other's evolution.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

The extinct pterosaurs (reptile) of the Jurassic period and the modern albatross (bird) both evolved wings as well as a distinct long beak, but are not derived from a common ancestor.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Hummingbirds have a beak just the right length to reach the nectar in the long cardinal flower. The cardinal flower’s pollen tube is just the right length for the hummingbird to pick up pollen as it feeds.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

A form of evolution where organisms with different ancestors become more alike as they adapt to similar environments or environmental pressures.

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• coevolution