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Module 10 Lesson 1 Assignment

This document describes an activity using a simulation of peppered moths on light and dark tree trunks. Students observe that before the Industrial Revolution, light moths were more common on light trees due to camouflage. After pollution made trees darker, dark moths had better camouflage and their numbers increased, demonstrating natural selection influenced by environmental changes.

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Talijah James
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151 views4 pages

Module 10 Lesson 1 Assignment

This document describes an activity using a simulation of peppered moths on light and dark tree trunks. Students observe that before the Industrial Revolution, light moths were more common on light trees due to camouflage. After pollution made trees darker, dark moths had better camouflage and their numbers increased, demonstrating natural selection influenced by environmental changes.

Uploaded by

Talijah James
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ____________________

Module 10 Lesson 1 Assignment

Student Exploration: Natural Selection

Vocabulary: biological evolution, camouflage, Industrial Revolution, lichen, morph, natural


selection, peppered moth

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

The peppered moth (Biston betularia) is a common moth


found in Europe, Asia, and North America. It is commonly
found in two forms, or morphs: a dark morph and a light,
speckled morph. Birds are a frequent predator of the
peppered moth.

1. Which colored moth do you think would be easier to

see on a dark tree trunk?

_______________________________

2. Which colored moth do you think would be easier to

see on a light tree trunk?

_______________________________

Gizmo Warm-up
The Natural Selection Gizmo™ allows you to play the role of
a bird feeding on peppered moths. The initial population of
40 moths is scattered over 20 tree trunks. Click on moths to
capture them. Click the Next tree button or hit the spacebar
on your keyboard to advance to the next tree.

1. Check that LIGHT TREES is selected. Click Start and


hunt moths for one year.

A. How many dark moths did you capture? _______

B. How many light moths did you capture? _______ How many moths can you find?

C. Camouflage is coloring or patterns that help an organism to blend in with the

background. Which type of moth is better camouflaged on light bark? ____________


2. If a forest contained mostly light-colored trees, which type of moth would you expect to be

most common? ____________________________________________________________

Get the Gizmo ready:


Activity A:
 Click Reset.
Light trees
 Check that the LIGHT TREES tab is selected.

Introduction: Before the 19th century in England, the air was very clean. The bark on trees was
usually light in color. Abundant lichens growing on tree trunks also lightened their appearance.

Question: How does the color of a peppered moth affect survival?

1. Predict: Over time, what will to happen to the populations of light and dark moths on light

trees? ____________________________________________________________________

2. Experiment: Click Start and hunt peppered moths on light tree trunks for five years. In each
year, try to capture as many moths as you can. (Hint: Use the spacebar on your keyboard
to advance to the next tree.)

After 5 years, select the TABLE tab and record the percentages of each moth type. (Note:
The table shows current populations of each moth, not the number of captured moths.)

Year Dark moths Light moths


0
1
2
3
4
5

3. Analyze: What do your results show? ___________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Apply: Which type of moth do you think was more common before the 19th century, when

most trees were light in color? _________________________________________________


Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity B:
 Click Reset.
Dark trees  Select the DARK TREES tab.

Introduction: The 19th century was the time of the Industrial Revolution in England. Most of
the new industries used coal for energy, and the air was polluted with black soot. In forests near
factories, the soot coated trees and killed lichens. As a result, tree trunks became darker.

Question: How did air pollution affect moth populations?

1. Predict: Over time, what will to happen to the populations of light and dark moths on dark

trees? ____________________________________________________________________

2. Experiment: Click Start and hunt peppered moths on dark tree trunks for five years. In each
year, try to capture as many moths as you can. (Hint: You can use the spacebar on your
keyboard to advance to the next tree.)

When you are done, select the TABLE tab and record the percentages of each moth type.

Year Dark moths Light moths


0
1
2
3
4
5

3. Analyze: What do your results show? ___________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Apply: Which type of moth do you think was more common during the 19th century? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
Lab Summary Questions:

1. Were light colored moths more common before the 19th century or after?
_________________

2. Why did the tree trunks get darker?______________________

3. Are light moths able to hide better on light trees or dark trees?
_____________________________________

4. Can a change in the environment influence an animal’s evolution?


_____________________________________

5. How did an environmental change influence natural selection in the moths?


_____________________________________

6. Over time the frequency of moths changed.

a. At the end of part A, what is the percentage of light moths?


____________________

b. At the end of part B, what is the percentage of light moths?


_________________________________

c. Did the percentages change? ____________________

d. Is this natural selection? _______________________

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