1.
The theory of evolution is the overarching principle through which we study Zoology. As we learn more about the ways that the coding of the DNA can be changed or the readability of the DNA code can be altered, we gain greater understanding of the complexity and possibilities for change that exists in all life.
How do we know that evolution is something that has happened over and over again to each of the species that exist on our planet?
What evidence is there that the species we see today originated from life that existed on the planet millions and billions of years ago and that the original life has changed from the way it was back then?
Include in your answer ideas like those listed below:
ways that scientists know that fossils and ancient burial grounds are really, really old – like the measuring of age of rocks or organic materials
the explanation for distantly related species to have similar building blocks – like the bones in a frog’s leg being the same as the ones that are in a tiger’s leg
evidence from the fossil record that traits in related organisms changed over time – like the change in placement of the external nares (bony nostrils) of whales or the arm and finger bones of bats.
evidence that a developing embryo shows anatomy that was present in ancient ancestors even though it isn’t going to be present in the finished version of this animal – like mammal embryos going through a phase where they have gill slits like a fish or bird embryos going through a phase when they have a two chambered heart
2.
Hearts are present in many, many groups of animals including worms, spiders, fish, frogs, and birds. They must be super useful! All of these groups use hearts to push hemolymph or blood around the body, delivering nutrition and oxygen to each of the cells.
Describe the basic anatomy and function of each of the hearts listed above. Include the following information:
what structures make up the heart (number of chambers)
how is the heart hooked up to the blood or hemolymph supply
what is the pathway of the circulatory system (where does the blood go when it leaves the heart and how does it get back to the heart)
remember, in frogs and birds, the blood returns to the heart twice and leaves the heart twice
You can make a chart, a set of diagrams, or describe the circulatory systems in a few sentences for each animal.
3.
I hope that you learned something in this course that you found amazing and didn’t know about animals before. Tell me about one or more of those things and what you found was impressive, funny, or surprising.
write a minimum of 10 sentences on this topic
4.
The term natural selection refers to the favoring, over multiple generations, of traits that increase the survivability and reproductive success of some individuals over others. This differential success leads to certain traits becoming more common over time. The speed with which this shift occurs varies depending on how extreme the differences in survivability and reproductive success are. Rapid changes to the environment tend to create greater differences in survivability.
The term sexual selection refers to the favoring, over multiple generations, of traits that increase the likelihood that certain individuals will have the opportunity to mate and in some species, who they choose to mate with.
List some of the clues that tell us if a particular trait is more likely due to natural selection or sexual selection.
Provide an example of a trait in a species or group that is due to natural selection and explain what leads you to this conclusion
Provide an example of a trait in a species or group that is due to artificial selection and explain what leads you to this conclusion
5.
All animals need oxygen and food. Why is that? What are they doing with it?
Write a minimum of 10 sentences on this topic.
What is done with it?
Why is it necessary for all animal life?
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