Evolution is the unifying theory of all of the biological sciences. As such, scientists are able to apply their understanding of the theory to all topics or issues of interest in biology—from the treatment of patients in a hospital setting to the protection of fragile ecosystems in remote locations. Evolutionary biology provides a foundation for understanding the factors that underlie the forms, functions, and diversity of life. It also enables scientists to make predictions about how living things will respond to changes in their environment—changes ranging from a virus infection to global climate change.
In this Unit Task you will choose a current topic in applied evolutionary biology from medicine, conservation biology, agriculture, or a field of your choosing. You will complete an analysis of the application, reviewing the evolutionary principles at work, what the theory predicts, and how the theory is applied to the situation in question.
The Application
To begin this activity, you must first select a particular problem or issue of concern related to the life sciences. Because evolution is the unifying theory of biology, it can be applied to any topic associated with living things. Therefore you are free to choose from a wide range of topics that may interest you. You may choose to keep your issue broad or make it highly specific. Be sure to obtain teacher approval for your chosen topic before proceeding with further research.
Consider the following list of sample topics:
- How can a major environmental threat be understood and addressed (Figure 1)?
Figure 1 Oil leaking from the Deep Horizon oil rig into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010
- What impacts will climate change have on the diversity and distribution of species?
- How are changing lifestyles such as modern diets and daily routines altering our health in positive and negative ways (Figure 2)?
Figure 2 Our modern diet consists of foods with high amounts of fat and salt.
- What are the possible benefits and consequences of genetically modified organisms? Are they a serious threat to our health and the environment, or are they the latest major scientific advance?
- How are human behaviours influenced by our evolutionary past? Should we be taking evolutionary biology into account in developing social policies?
- Habitat loss and overconsumption of wild species are serious global issues. How should we direct policy decisions in land-use planning and harvesting regulations?
- How can evolutionary biology be applied to our understanding of the spread and control of epidemic diseases?
Your Goal
To investigate the application of the science of evolutionary biology to a current problem or issue in the life sciences
Research
After choosing your issue of concern, conduct research to gain an understanding of the scope of the problem and the key factors involved. Investigate the key concepts and principles from evolutionary biology that relate to your issue. As you conduct this research, be sure to consider the ways in which an understanding of evolutionary biology can be and is being applied by scientists.
Print Page 379
Consider the following questions:
- Is the genetic diversity of an individual species or the diversity of species overall an important factor? If so, how?
- How can understanding the evolutionary relationships between species provide useful information?
- How might natural selection play a role in this situation? How does the situation favour some individuals or some species over others?
- In what way is the environment changing? Is the change caused by humans? Is it intentional or unintentional? For example, climate change is an unintentional change in the environment on a grand scale, while a global vaccination campaign is an intentional change in the internal environment of the human body.
- How do these changes influence the selective pressures on the species of interest?
- What role does time play in the issue? Is there time for species to evolve? If so, would the expected evolutionary changes be beneficial or harmful?
- If the issue you are addressing is a problem, what solutions and strategies can help solve the problem? What role can and does evolution play in these potential solutions and strategies? Can evolution be advantageous or a barrier to finding effective and sustainable solutions?
Summarize
Based on your research findings and your own understanding of evolution, answer the following:
- How do scientists apply evolutionary biology to understand the nature of this issue or problem? In other words, how does evolution influence the issue or concern?
- How do scientists apply the theory of evolution to make predictions regarding this issue?
- How do scientists use evolutionary biology to make informed decisions and find solutions to the problem?
Communicate
Prepare a report in the form of a science journal article. Your report can be divided into the following components:
Abstract: a short paragraph summarizing the entire investigation
Introduction: a brief overview of the importance of diversity to the health of ecosystems
Findings: your research findings and analysis
Discussion: concluding remarks that summarize how evolutionary biology is applied to the chosen issue
Apply and Extend
1. Exchange your journal article with those of several of your fellow students. Read their reports and take note of their general findings. (a) Were other students able to find evidence of applications of the theory of evolution to modern-day issues in the life sciences? Elaborate. (b) Did they find evidence that evolutionary biology is an effective tool for making predictions? Provide examples to support your answer.
2. The theory of evolution has widespread applications in the biological sciences. How might a lack of understanding of evolution limit our ability to address important issues in life science?
ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
Your completed Unit Performance Task will be assessed using the following criteria:
Knowledge/Understanding
- your understanding of the role of genetic diversity in populations - your understanding of the relationships between the environment and natural selection - your understanding of the relationship between human-caused environment change and changes in selective pressures
Thinking/Investigation
- your ability to find and select relevant information - your ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources - your ability to evaluate the accuracy and currency of information from various sources - your ability to recognize the application of evolution in understanding the issue and making predictions
Communication
- the organization and clarity of the information in your final report - the effectiveness of your written presentation - your use of appropriate visuals to support your findings and conclusions
Application
- your ability to recognize the application of evolution in understanding the issue and making predictions - your recognition of the significance of evolutionary biology as the unifying scientific theory of the life sciences
Evolution for Everyone
Evolution is the unifying theory of all of the biological sciences. As such, scientists are able to apply their understanding of the theory to all topics or issues of interest in biology—from the treatment of patients in a hospital setting to the protection of fragile ecosystems in remote locations. Evolutionary biology provides a foundation for understanding the factors that underlie the forms, functions, and diversity of life. It also enables scientists to make predictions about how living things will respond to changes in their environment—changes ranging from a virus infection to global climate change.
In this Unit Task you will choose a current topic in applied evolutionary biology from medicine, conservation biology, agriculture, or a field of your choosing. You will complete an analysis of the application, reviewing the evolutionary principles at work, what the theory predicts, and how the theory is applied to the situation in question.
The Application
To begin this activity, you must first select a particular problem or issue of concern related to the life sciences. Because evolution is the unifying theory of biology, it can be applied to any topic associated with living things. Therefore you are free to choose from a wide range of topics that may interest you. You may choose to keep your issue broad or make it highly specific. Be sure to obtain teacher approval for your chosen topic before proceeding with further research.
Consider the following list of sample topics:
- How can a major environmental threat be understood and addressed (Figure 1)?
Figure 1 Oil leaking from the Deep Horizon oil rig into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010
- What impacts will climate change have on the diversity and distribution of species?
- How are changing lifestyles such as modern diets and daily routines altering our health in positive and negative ways (Figure 2)?
Figure 2 Our modern diet consists of foods with high amounts of fat and salt.
- What are the possible benefits and consequences of genetically modified organisms? Are they a serious threat to our health and the environment, or are they the latest major scientific advance?
- How are human behaviours influenced by our evolutionary past? Should we be taking evolutionary biology into account in developing social policies?
- Habitat loss and overconsumption of wild species are serious global issues. How should we direct policy decisions in land-use planning and harvesting regulations?
- How can evolutionary biology be applied to our understanding of the spread and control of epidemic diseases?
Your Goal
To investigate the application of the science of evolutionary biology to a current problem or issue in the life sciences
Research
After choosing your issue of concern, conduct research to gain an understanding of the scope of the problem and the key factors involved. Investigate the key concepts and principles from evolutionary biology that relate to your issue. As you conduct this research, be sure to consider the ways in which an understanding of evolutionary biology can be and is being applied by scientists.
Print Page 379
Consider the following questions:
- Is the genetic diversity of an individual species or the diversity of species overall an important factor? If so, how?
- How can understanding the evolutionary relationships between species provide useful information?
- How might natural selection play a role in this situation? How does the situation favour some individuals or some species over others?
- In what way is the environment changing? Is the change caused by humans? Is it intentional or unintentional? For example, climate change is an unintentional change in the environment on a grand scale, while a global vaccination campaign is an intentional change in the internal environment of the human body.
- How do these changes influence the selective pressures on the species of interest?
- What role does time play in the issue? Is there time for species to evolve? If so, would the expected evolutionary changes be beneficial or harmful?
- If the issue you are addressing is a problem, what solutions and strategies can help solve the problem? What role can and does evolution play in these potential solutions and strategies? Can evolution be advantageous or a barrier to finding effective and sustainable solutions?
Summarize
Based on your research findings and your own understanding of evolution, answer the following:
- How do scientists apply evolutionary biology to understand the nature of this issue or problem? In other words, how does evolution influence the issue or concern?
- How do scientists apply the theory of evolution to make predictions regarding this issue?
- How do scientists use evolutionary biology to make informed decisions and find solutions to the problem?
Communicate
Prepare a report in the form of a science journal article. Your report can be divided into the following components:
Abstract: a short paragraph summarizing the entire investigation
Introduction: a brief overview of the importance of diversity to the health of ecosystems
Findings: your research findings and analysis
Discussion: concluding remarks that summarize how evolutionary biology is applied to the chosen issue
Apply and Extend
1. Exchange your journal article with those of several of your fellow students. Read their reports and take note of their general findings.
(a) Were other students able to find evidence of applications of the theory of evolution to modern-day issues in the life sciences? Elaborate.
(b) Did they find evidence that evolutionary biology is an effective tool for making predictions? Provide examples to support your answer.
2. The theory of evolution has widespread applications in the biological sciences. How might a lack of understanding of evolution limit our ability to address important issues in life science?
ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
Your completed Unit Performance Task will be assessed using the following criteria:
Knowledge/Understanding
- your understanding of the role of genetic diversity in populations
- your understanding of the relationships between the environment and natural selection
- your understanding of the relationship between human-caused environment change and changes in selective pressures
Thinking/Investigation
- your ability to find and select relevant information
- your ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources
- your ability to evaluate the accuracy and currency of information from various sources
- your ability to recognize the application of evolution in understanding the issue and making predictions
Communication
- the organization and clarity of the information in your final report
- the effectiveness of your written presentation
- your use of appropriate visuals to support your findings and conclusions
Application
- your ability to recognize the application of evolution in understanding the issue and making predictions
- your recognition of the significance of evolutionary biology as the unifying scientific theory of the life sciences