Natural Selection and Predators

Compare and contrast the different variations between Population A and Population B.

Answer explanation

Population A are light colored, have pointy noses, have tails, dig holes.

Population B are darker, have blunt noses and live in trees.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which variation is more successful at avoiding the predator? Explain.

Answer explanation

Population A is more successful since it can hide in holes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Stage 3 and Stage 4: Compare the number of individuals remaining in population A and B. Which genes have been "removed" and which genes have been"selected".

Answer explanation

Population A has been selected to survive. Population B has been removed by the predator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Stage 5: Explain why population A is more frequent using the principles of natural selection. Include in your answer variation, adaptation, and selection.

Answer explanation

Populaion A will be selected to survive since it is better adapted to the environment. The variation in population A allows it to escape the predator by going into holes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Stage 6: What will happen next? Predict what will happen to the predator numbers if all of population B were gone.

Answer explanation

The predator numbers will decrease or might die due to lack of food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Stage 6: What will happen next? Predict how the predator might adapt to get different food.

Answer explanation

The predator might adapt strong claws to dig into the holes or long beaks to grab prey from the holes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Stage 6: What will happen next? Predict what might happen to population A overtime if their numbers increase too much. How could they adapt to avoid overcompetition?

Answer explanation

If there are too many of Population on the island, the population might adapt to living in the water such as developing limbs or tails for swimming.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4