Programs for  Grade 12

Evolutionary Theory

The theory of evolution is generally poorly understood by the general public because people tend to miss understand the concept of survival of the fittest.  Evolution is primarily about the way that an organisms environment poses selective pressures on it that either alter its form, function, and behaviour or cause it to become extinct.  Population dynamics play a significant role in evolution.  Therefore, this lesson will integrate aspects of the population dynamics strand of the grade 12 curriculum into a discussion of evolution.

Objectives

Discuss population dynamics in relation to interactions such as predation, competition, and defense.  Illustrate how these population level factors are essential to the evolutionary process.  Discuss the process of evolution and current evolutionary theory in light of natural selection, sexual selection, genetic variation, adaptation, and biodiversity.

Key Concepts/Words

Adaptation, biodiversity, competition, defense, genetic variation, interaction, natural selection, predation, population, population fluctuation.

Submit a booking request or contact us at education@reptilia.org.