PhET Activity for MS-LS2-5: Natural Selection
Passage
•
Science
•
6th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Easy
Wayground Simulations
Used 1+ times
FREE Resource
17 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
3 mins • Ungraded
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click on the 'Intro' button on the initial screen.
Spend 2-3 minutes exploring the simulation. Hover over buttons to see what they do. Notice the rabbit, the graph area, and the panels on the right. Do not change any settings yet.
QUESTION: Are you acquainted with the tools in this simulation?
Yes
No
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure you are on the 'Intro' tab with one rabbit.
2. Click the 'Add a Mate' button in the center of the environment.
QUESTION: Why is it necessary to 'Add a Mate' to start the simulation?
Answer explanation
The simulation requires two rabbits to start reproducing and for the population to grow over generations.
3.
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click the 'Step Forward' button at the bottom three times.
QUESTION: As you advance through ___ without any predators or environmental challenges, the rabbit ___ increases.
(a)
Answer explanation
generations, population
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. In the 'Add Mutation' panel on the right side, click the 'Fur' button.
QUESTION: What is the role of adding a mutation in this simulation?
Answer explanation
Mutations are the source of new genetic variations (traits) in a population, which is the raw material for evolution.
5.
DROPDOWN QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click the 'Step Forward' button once to advance to Generation 4.
2. In the panel on the right, select the 'Proportions' radio button to change the graph's display.
QUESTION: Without any selection pressure, the proportion of brown bunnies is likely to remain (a) .
Answer explanation
The correct answer is 'low'. Since the brown fur is a recent mutation, it will only be present in a small fraction of the population unless a selection pressure favors it.
6.
OPEN ENDED QUESTION
3 mins • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click the 'Step Forward' button once to advance to Generation 5.
2. In the 'Environmental Factors' panel on the right, check the 'Wolves' checkbox.
QUESTION: Predict what will happen to the proportions of white and brown rabbits over the next 10 generations. Explain your reasoning.
Evaluate responses using AI:
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Answer explanation
A good answer should predict that the proportion of brown rabbits will increase. The reasoning should state that the brown rabbits are better camouflaged in the equatorial environment, making them less likely to be eaten by wolves. Therefore, they will survive longer and produce more offspring than the white rabbits.
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Press the 'Play' button and allow the simulation to run until it reaches about Generation 10.
2. Press the 'Pause' button.
QUESTION: Why did the proportion of brown-furred rabbits increase significantly?
Answer explanation
The brown fur trait provided a survival advantage through camouflage, a process known as natural selection. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass those traits to their offspring.
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