Ever wonder why we all look similar but not exactly the same Ever wonder why we all look similar but not exactly the same? Do you wonder that same thing about different organisms around the world? Take a few minutes to read the passage “Changes Over Time.” When complete, find the correct term for the definitions on your sheet. Remember to use good reading strategies as you read! © Getting Nerdy, LLC

Mutation Nation! Objective: To demonstrate how species change over time Bell work: What is a mutation? Any change in the DNA of an organism Are mutations good or bad? Explain your answer. Mutations can be both good or bad, or they can have no effect at all. Good – webbed feet on a duck Bad – Skin cancer No effect – Blue or Brown eye color © Getting Nerdy, LLC

Huh? Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old, and the planet has changed a great deal during its existence. For organisms to survive, they would have to change (mutate) also. A mutation is any permanent change in the DNA of a gene or chromosome. Some mutations are BAD, some can be GOOD and some don’t really have any effect. © Getting Nerdy, LLC

Examples of Mutation: Albinism …the absence of pigmentation within the skin – true albinos have pink eyes due to the flow of blood to the retina and the absence of pigment within the iris… © Getting Nerdy, LLC

Examples of Mutation: Flu Virus …every year, scientists that study the flu virus must devise a new vaccine to combat the current strain of flu going around. The flu virus mutates often so new vaccines must be created each year… © Getting Nerdy, LLC

What did you come up with? Mutation Nation: Two mutations are discussed on the previous slides – Albinism and the Flu virus. List three more mutations that exist in nature and whether they are good, bad or neutral in the chart on your paper… What did you come up with? © Getting Nerdy, LLC

Some mutations lead to adaptation… When a mutation is beneficial and helps an organism to survive in its environment, the organism has the opportunity to live longer, find a mate, and pass on its good traits to its offspring. How are a zebra’s stripes considered a helpful mutation? A zebra’s stripes allow it to confuse predators when traveling in herds. This allows them to survive another day to pass on their traits during reproduction. © Getting Nerdy, LLC

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