4-11-18 Butterfly Camouflage Simulation

Do Now: Take out your homework and answer the following questions. 1. How did Charles Darwin study plants and animals? 3. Mutations in genes cause A. variation. A. by making scientific models B. competition. B. by experimenting in the laboratory C. reproduction. C. by observing them in their habitats 4. According to Darwin’s theory, what process causes populations to change as their environment changes? 2. A jackrabbit’s powerful legs are an example of a A. structural adaptation. B. functional adaptation. A. natural selection C. behavioral adaptation. B. artificial selection C. selective breeding

HW Review: Key Concept Builder - How are adaptations evidence of natural selection? 1. Camouflage is an adaptation that enables species to blend in with their environments. Possible drawings will vary and might include an insect or bird blending into its environment. 2. Mimicry is the resemblance of one species to another species. Possible drawings will vary and might include two similar types of butterflies or a caterpillar that looks like a snake.

HW Review: Key Concept Builder - How are adaptations evidence of natural selection? 3. Selective breeding is the breeding of organisms for desired characteristics. Sample answer: This change is not caused by natural selection because each animal cannot naturally adapt to its environment for survival. However, characteristics are being selected for appearance or other reasons. 4. A mouth-shaped adaptation is the special mouth shape that a species has developed to obtain food and to survive. Possible drawings might include the mouth shape of a pelican.

HW Review: Key Concept Builder - How are adaptations evidence of natural selection? 5. A species that is unable to adapt to environmental changes will become extinct. Possible examples of a quick environmental change include a volcano or flood. 6. Artificial selection is changes in a species that are the result of selective breeding. Sample answer: Artificial selection supports Darwin’s theory because it shows that those with certain characteristics reproduce and survive.

Reminder Quiz tomorrow, 4/12/18 Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Natural selection Variations Types of adaptations Artificial selection

Butterfly Camouflage Simulation Background Concealing coloration White-tailed deer Disruptive coloration (e.g., mimicry) Monarch butterflies Self-decoration Decorator crab

Butterfly Camouflage Discussion Questions Each student will receive a template of 3 butterflies. You are in control of natural selection. Design the butterflies with markers, colored pencils or crayons so they are camouflaged in the “habitat” of your choice. Design all 3 of your butterflies in a similar manner as if they were parents/offspring. Be as creative as you want. 1 rule: your butterfly will need to be at least half visible (i.e., it can’t be totally covered by another object). Remember, there are multiple habitats within an environment. For example, the environment is the classroom while a habitat is a poster. After designing the butterflies, label the back of the butterflies with your name & class period and then cut them out. Complete this for homework.

The “Hunt” Half of the class will be hunters. The hunters will wait in the hallway. The other half of the class will place their first butterfly. The hunters will have 1 minute to search for a butterfly to eat. NO RUNNING/PUSHING. When they have found a butterfly to eat, hunters should go stand at the front by the whiteboards. DO NOT HUNT MORE THAN 1 BUTTERFLY. Any hunters that do not find a butterfly will starve and not survive another round. Surviving hunters will then leave the classroom again. Any surviving butterflies will “replicate” and the second “offspring” butterfly should be placed in the room. Hunters will then have another round to hunt, once again needing 1 butterfly to survive. Surviving butterflies will then replicate again. Hunters will have a 3rd round to hunt.

Butterfly Camouflage Simulation Discussion Questions Which type of camouflage was employed by the most successful butterflies in the classroom environment? What other adaptations of butterflies allow for survival?