Name:                                                

 

 

GRADE 7 DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATIONS

 

 

At the conclusion of this unit you will understand that…

 

• Variation occurs over a broad period of time and leads to diversity among living organisms.
• Structural and behavioral adaptations add to the competitive advantage of a species and increase its chance for survival by passing desirable traits to future generations.

 

Inquiring scientific minds will be able to answer these essential questions...

 

• How do changes in the physical characteristics of a living organism influence the ability of a species to survive?
• How do species change over time?
• What does variation reveal about living things within the environment and their ability to survive?
• How can variation be explained through various theories including natural selection?
• What evidence in our environment shows that variation and diversity exist?
• How do similarities of organisms show diversity?

 

Key Scientific Concepts/Vocabulary…

 

Natural selection	diversity	organism	adaptations	species survival
variation	trait	mutation	isolation	generation
overproduction	fossil	genetics	scientific name	conservation
extinction	classification	taxonomy	warm-blooded	cold-blooded
speciation	dichotomous key	kingdom	phylum	class
Order	family	genus	species	Darwin

 

Young biologists will be able to….

 

·        List physical characteristics of an organism.

·        Describe an adaptation and provide reasons for its competitive advantage to the species.

·        Describe the role natural selection has on a species.

·        Group organisms based on characteristics.

·        Select appropriate lab equipment.

·        Demonstrate safe and appropriate lab equipment.

·        Effectively communicate results.