A model of natural selection | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Individuals with advantageous characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to a process called natural ______.

'selection' ✓
There are differences between these two individuals of the same species of peppered moth. Which word do we use in science for these differences?

competition

natural selection

variation ✓

reproduction
Which moth has an advantage in the competition to hide from predators?

the light-coloured moth

the dark-coloured moth ✓

neither moth has an advantage

both moths have the advantage
Which moth is the most likely to survive to reproduce?

the light-coloured moth

the dark-coloured moth ✓

neither moth is likely to survive to reproduce

the two moths are equally likely to survive to reproduce
The genes for which type of colouration are most likely to become more common in later generations of the moths?

the genes for light-colouration

the genes for dark-colouration ✓

the genes for both types of colouration will be equally common
Most of the trees in the moths’ habitat change to have light-coloured bark. Put the statements in order, to explain how this could cause the population of moths to change.

1

⇔

the light-coloured moths are now better camouflaged, so have an advantage

2

⇔

their advantage will help them in the competition to hide from predators

3

⇔

they are more likely to survive and reproduce

4

⇔

this means they can pass on the genes for light-colouration to their offspring

5

⇔

over generations light-coloured moths will become more common in the population

Exit quiz

In the model of natural selection, what do the cocktail sticks represent?

habitat

predators

prey ✓

advantage

natural selection
In the model of natural selection, what do the students picking up the cocktail sticks represent?

habitat

predators ✓

prey

environmental change

natural selection
There is variation in colour between the individual cocktail sticks. The green cocktail sticks are better ______ to stay hidden from predators in the grass.

'adapted' ✓
Because they are better camouflaged against the grass, the green cocktail sticks have an ______ in the competition to hide from the predators.

'advantage' ✓
Whose prediction is most likely to come true after several rounds of the natural selection model experiment?

Jacob: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the grass will be white.”

Jun: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the grass will be green.” ✓

Sofia: “There will be equal numbers of each colour left on the grass.”
The natural selection model experiment is played on grey concrete instead of green grass. Whose prediction is most likely to come true after several rounds of the experiment?

Jacob: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the concrete will be white.”

Jun: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the concrete will be green.”

Sofia: “There’ll be roughly equal numbers of each colour left on the concrete.” ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

A simple model can be used to demonstrate natural selection, e.g. picking up green and white cocktail sticks from grass.
The model can be used to make predictions about how a population will change over time due to natural selection.
The prediction may change if the environmental conditions change (e.g. if the grass becomes frosty/snowy).

Common misconception

Thinking that populations of organisms stay the same forever.

This model clearly demonstrates that populations change over time due to natural selection, with advantageous traits (e.g. camouflage) becoming more common in the population.

Keywords

Natural selection - Organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on their genes to their offspring.
Model - Scientists use models as simpler representations of complex things and ideas.
Hypothesis - An idea based on observations about how something works.
Prediction - A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome of an experiment.