Understanding Histograms and Natural Selection

The video tutorial introduces eighth-grade students to natural selection using a simulation in Amplify Science. It covers the concepts of variation and distribution in populations, using a simulation with different organisms. The tutorial explains how to manipulate variations in the simulation and introduces histograms as a tool for analyzing population traits. A demonstration using coins illustrates how histograms can represent variation. The session concludes with instructions for homework, encouraging students to explore the simulation and build histograms.

What is the main difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

• Artificial selection is a random process, while natural selection is not.

• Natural selection involves environmental factors, while artificial selection is human-driven.

• Artificial selection occurs naturally, while natural selection is human-driven.

• Natural selection is controlled by humans, while artificial selection is not.

In the Amplify Science simulation, what can be adjusted to observe natural selection?

• The amount of variation in organisms

• The type of organisms present

• The color of the simulation background

• The speed of the simulation

Which of the following is NOT a type of organism in the simulation?

• Carthon

• Karna Thon

• Austral OPA

• Thorn palms

What is a histogram used for in biology?

• To measure the speed of organisms

• To determine the diet of organisms

• To show variation in populations

• To calculate the age of organisms

How can histograms help biologists?

• By determining the lifespan of organisms

• By identifying new species

• By showing the variation of traits in a population

• By predicting future population sizes

What is the purpose of sorting pocket change in the histogram demonstration?

• To calculate the total value of the coins

• To create a histogram with varying levels of variation

• To determine the age of the coins

• To identify rare coins

What does a histogram with no variation look like?

• It has bars of equal height.

• It has only one type of bar.

• It has bars of different heights.

• It has no bars at all.

What is the new term introduced in the lesson related to histograms?

• Population

• Distribution

• Variation

• Generation

What is the assignment given at the end of the lesson?

• To write an essay on natural selection

• To create a simulation of their own

• To play with the simulation and build a histogram with pocket change

• To conduct a field study on local wildlife

What is the definition of distribution in the context of this lesson?

• The variety of ecosystems in a region

• The spread of a species across different continents

• The number of individuals of each trait in a population

• The number of species in an ecosystem