Genetic Drift Activity This simulation, like evolution itself, is based on random events. You will be able to understand that random events are a driving force of evolution visualize how genetic drift affects diversity in a population realize the unpredictable nature of evolution To complete this Genetic Drift Simulation you need the “Worm Worksheet” 5 different colored pencils dice

6-sided die will determine how many offspring each worm has 6-sided die will determine how many offspring each worm has. (If it lands on 6, re-roll the die.)

7. Then draw a line after your fixed allele generation and begin again 5 6 7 8 9

Analysis & Conclusion Questions (Answer on page 102) Explain why there is no point in adding more generations after all the worms are one color (when an allele has become fixed)? At a population of 5, what is the mean number of generations until an allele becomes fixed? (average your numbers with 2 other people’s data) If the population was increased to 10, would the mean number of generations until an allele becomes fixed increase or decrease? Explain why. What is the mathematical relationship between population size and the number of generations it takes for an allele to become fixed? (what happens to one when the other increases/decreases) What is genetic drift and how does it affect a population’s genetic diversity? Explain how genetic drift affected the worm’s color diversity in this activity.