1. FORMAL LAB NATURAL SELECTION

2. Background
variety in phenotype is due to differences in genetic makeup
novel traits are produced randomly by genetic mutation
natural selection: “survival of the fittest”
selective pressure – environmental factor that leads to differential fitness based on the value of a particular trait
biotic or abiotic
examples?

3. Objectives design and carry out a controlled experiment
investigate the effect of mutations on the population of rabbits, in the presence of selective pressures

4. General Procedure
Define three factors in an online simulation. For a single scenario, you will pick one of each.
Mutations
Selection factors
Environment
brown fur
long tail
long teeth
predators (wolves)
food supply (tough shrub is only available food source)
equator
arctic
Design three different scenarios/hypotheses to test.

5. Mutations – Three to choose from:
brown fur (default is white rabbits)
long tail (default is short tail)
long teeth (default is short teeth)
For this lab, only pick one mutation for each scenario. The goal is to determine the effect of that mutation alone, on the success of the rabbit.

6. Selection Factors – 2 to choose from:
wolves – natural predators of rabbits
food supply – makes tough shrubbery the only available food source. Note: only long-toothed rabbits can eat these!
For this lab, only pick one mutation for each scenario. The goal is to determine the effect of that mutation alone, on the success of the rabbit.

7. Environment – 2 to choose from:
Equator
Arctic

8. For each of the three scenarios, formulate a hypothesis
It is hypothesized that (select a rabbit phenotype) rabbits will be (more/ less) likely to survive under (type of selective factor) within the (select type of environment) environment, because..... (explain how their trait will help them to survive or not)

9. Data Collection
Population graph

10. Experimental Population
Experimental Population
Control Population
Generation number
Phenotype:
________________
Total
______________ 3
(beginning) 4 7 10
(final)
pause simulation at certain generations and fill in population count

11. Control Condition need a baseline for comparison
want to see the effect of the mutation
compare against scenario where there is NO mutation (only one phenotype)
keep all other factors (selection factor, environment) the same as your experimental condition

12. Analysis formal lab report format
intro, procedure, results, discussion, conclusion, references
write up only one of the three experiments you designed and carried out
two important resources:
general format for all formal labs
specific requirements for this specific lab (on lab sheet)

13. Additional Notes plan/carry out in groups of 1-2
teacher approval before beginning simulation
individual lab report submissions
Turnitin.com
physical copy