SOL LS.13 Evolution

SOL LS.13 Evolution Life Science Middle Home

SOL LS.13 Evolution
LS.13 The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms change over time. Key concepts include the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms. Causes of Evolutionary Changes The mechanisms through which evolution takes place are a related set of processes that include mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction. This results in changes in populations of organisms over time. Mutations are inheritable changes because a mutation is a change in the DNA code. Adaptations are structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species to survive. Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of the individuals in a population that exhibit the traits that best enable them to survive in their environment. A mutation may result in a favorable change or adaptation in genetic information that improves a species’ ability to exist in its environment, or a mutation may result in an unfavorable change that does not improve or impedes a species’ ability to exist in its environment. describe how changes in the environment can bring about changes in a species (adaptation, extinction) through natural selection. explain how genetic variations in offspring, which lead to variations in successive generations, can result from the same two parents. Individuals of a population each exhibit a range of variations in a trait as a result of the variations in their genetic codes. These variations may or may not help them survive and reproduce in their environment. If a species does not include traits that enable it to survive in its environment or to survive changes in the environment, then the species may become extinct. analyze and evaluate data from investigations on variations within a local population. explain how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms. Evidence for Evolution The evidence for evolution is drawn from a variety of sources of data, including the fossil record, radiometric dating, genetic information, the distribution of organisms, and anatomical and developmental similarities across species. describe and explain how fossils are records of organisms and events in Earth’s history. explain the evidence for evolution from a variety of sources of scientific data.

SOL LS.13 Evolution

the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction
evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record
how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms.

Causes of Evolutionary Changes

The mechanisms through which evolution takes place are a related set of processes that include mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction. This results in changes in populations of organisms over time.
- Mutations are inheritable changes because a mutation is a change in the DNA code.
- Adaptations are structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species to survive.
- Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of the individuals in a population that exhibit the traits that best enable them to survive in their environment.
A mutation may result in a favorable change or adaptation in genetic information that improves a species’ ability to exist in its environment, or a mutation may result in an unfavorable change that does not improve or impedes a species’ ability to exist in its environment.
describe how changes in the environment can bring about changes in a species (adaptation, extinction) through natural selection.
explain how genetic variations in offspring, which lead to variations in successive generations, can result from the same two parents.
Individuals of a population each exhibit a range of variations in a trait as a result of the variations in their genetic codes. These variations may or may not help them survive and reproduce in their environment.
If a species does not include traits that enable it to survive in its environment or to survive changes in the environment, then the species may become extinct.
analyze and evaluate data from investigations on variations within a local population.
explain how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms.

Evidence for Evolution

The evidence for evolution is drawn from a variety of sources of data, including the fossil record, radiometric dating, genetic information, the distribution of organisms, and anatomical and developmental similarities across species.
describe and explain how fossils are records of organisms and events in Earth’s history.
explain the evidence for evolution from a variety of sources of scientific data.