Do Now Self-reflect: think about your progress, how do you think keeping a homework/exit slip tracker help you improve in class? 3-4 sentences P. 37

Think about Think about where you live and where you came from (place, city, etc.) Who is in your circle of friends, family, neighborhood? Write on a half-sheet of paper and place it on the board I will read a few Anonymous posts!

Biodiversity and Evolution Today we will… Discuss and explain what the origins of life are, as well as natural selection and evolution Relate as to how these things have led to the current biodiversity on earth Define what biodiversity is Explain and justify why phenomena such as catastrophes, climate change, and extinction affect evolution and biodiversity We can define what an ecological niche is, as well as develop an explanation as to how it helps a species adapt to its environment

Think Discuss at your table what this image is showing. How might this relate to today’s lesson? Make you you are ready to explain!

Origins of Life Scientists argue that the origins of life began in deep-sea hydrothermal vents Common ancestry for all organisms began with an aquatic microorganism – Came from a biotic soup synthesized from the atmosphere otherwise known as chemical evolution

Origins of Life Chemical evolution occurred in the formation of biomolecules needed for the basics of life. Selection occurred from single-celled bacteria, to multicellular organisms Most of this evidence comes from fossils – Remnants of mineralized bones, leaves, or impressions.

White board Quick Check! Draw, write a definition OR an explanation you would give a college professor on what what the origins of life are stated to be! Do so on your whiteboards! 1 minute!

Evolution, Natural selection, and Adaptation Evolution can be defined as “descent with modification” – Biological evolution is a change in a population’s genetic make- up – Populations, not individuals, evolve. – It all begins with mutations in the gene pool of a population Can be random (errors in DNA replication) or caused by mutagens—x- rays, harmful chemicals etc. Must occur in reproductive cells in order to be passed on. – All of this then leads to natural selection.

Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation Natural Selection occurs when some individuals have favorable heritable traits that are passed down allowing for survival and reproduction. – Being favored for natural selection allows for the organism’s survival and for the ability to pass down these favorable genes – These favorable genes become more prominent within the population – for this to even occur, there must be genetic variability within the gene pool!!!

Survival of the Fittest? What does this really mean? Explain how this phrase applies to natural selection. What is one way people use this phrase incorrectly? How would you correct them? Discuss with a partner, I will call out.

Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation Natural selection occurs on individuals, but evolution occurs in populations An adaptation is any heritable trait that is passed down that enables an organism to survive and reproduce under certain environmental conditions – Natural selection preserves beneficial adaptations. – Species can either adapt, migrate, or go extinct. – *Remember: IT ALL STARTS WITH MUTATIONS FOUND IN THE GENE POOL!!!!!*

Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation Coevolution occurs when two species interact with each other over time – Can occur with changes in a gene pool of 1 species leading to changes in another species – Ex. Bats and moths  bats eat moths, therefore moths are adapted to be hypersensitive echolocation frequencies in order to avoid predation – Goal: each species in a race to produce the largest number of surviving species.

White-board Quick Check! Draw an image, write a definition, or write an explanation you would give a college professor on what: Natural selection is Coevolution is What an adaptation is

White Board Quick Check Write an explanation using academic vocabulary and specific detail on your whiteboards about How natural selection leads to evolution I will come by and check. 3 minutes

Lets come back

Evolution: catastrophes, climate change, and extinction Think! What might occur if an asteroid hit China right now? Make sure you elaborate the specific events that would take place Hint: Think about evolution

Evolution, Catastrophes, and climate change Tectonic Plates move over time, this then leads to locations of plants and animals to change – Species adapt and form new species as a result – Locations of plates also determines climate – Climate change leads to changes in temperature which then DETERMINES WHERE PLANTS AND ANIMALS LIVE. If climate changes too rapidly it can lead to decrease in survival of species  no time to adapt.  extinction

Evolution, Catastrophes, and climate change Asteroids and meteors hitting the earth have caused large wipeouts of species aka mass extinctions. After each catastrophe, large environmental stress followed Allowed for opportunity of new species to be favored by natural selection ALLOWING THEM TO EVOLVE – Ex: mammals were able to be favored because dinosaurs went extinct

Whiteboard Quick check! Write an explanation on your whiteboards. You will have 5 minutes How does a catastrophe, such as an asteroid, or an ice age, allow for evolution to occur?

Ecological Niches Each species has a specific role or way of life in an environment, otherwise known as a niche – Ex: a bird’s niche might be to forage for worms as a way of maintaining balance of decomposers – Fundamental niche: the FULL POTENTIAL of range of physical, biological, and chemical conditions an organism can THEORETICALLY USE. Avoiding direct competition from other species

Ecological Niche Fundamental niche is often not the case, because species compete with each other for resources. Niches of competing organisms often overlap. in order to survive, a species only takes up a portion of its fundamental niche, aka REALIZED NICHE. – Restricted to a particular portion due to competition from other organisms.

Ecological Niche 6COob_bymw

White board Quick Check! Draw a picture, an explanation, or a definition on: The differences between a realized niche and fundamental niche How can niches allow for a species to adapt? 1 minute to respond.

Biodiversity Biodiversity: refers to the diversity of individuals, genetic information, habitats, etc. within the biosphere.

Biodiversity Why is it important? – Biodiversity is important in the stability of an ecosystem or population – Minimal biodiversity results in the risk of extinction and instability within an ecosystem – Every organism has a specific role to play in their environment – ***Theme of biology: Everything is interconnected**

P. 37 of NB’s What was the main find in the research the scientists at UCSB conducted? What methods did they use to conduct research and gather data? Describe the conflict of the two hypotheses on biodiversity and niche importance presented within the article. Why would species loss in niches that maintain diversity have such a significant impact on plant production?