Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Coronado High School Biology RAT ISLAND ACTIVITY Each student will be assigned an island. Your job will be to design a rat which has adapted to the conditions of that particular island. Then each person must submit a drawing of their rat and an explanation of how each adaptation helps their rat survive on the island. Answer the questions as well. ISLAND A: The island is fairly flat, with an occasional hill. The ground consists of soft dirt. Several species of shrubs grow toward the center of the island. There is no animal life on land, but the water is full of friendly fish that swim around the island. The island is also surrounded by a coral reef which keeps predators out. The shore is sandy with no algal growth. Fresh water is available. ISLAND B: The island has a rocky shoreline. Numerous tide pools dot the island along the shore where the wave action is somewhat sheltered by rock outcrops. The tide pools host barnacles, chitons, abalone, sea urchins and crabs. Algae grows all around the island; however it is quite sparse in the tide pools where the various animals feed. The current is quite strong along the rocky outcrops where the algae grows best. Freshwater is available. Name: Period: My rat lives on island _________ My rat’s name is _________________ ISLAND C: The island is somewhat barren. A few species of cactus thrive on the bare rocks. A large cactus-eating tortoise inhabits the island. A species of very large bird nests on the island annually. They build their nests in the rocks, and protect their eggs from the sun by standing over the nests with outspread wings. The nests are always found on the windy side of the island which is somewhat cooled by offshore breezes. ISLAND D: The island is an inactive volcano. Vegetation in the island changes with the altitude moving up the volcano. Grasses grow at the base. Further up the slope the grasses give way to low shrubs. Half way up, the island becomes quite lush.; tropical plants and trees dominate the landscape. At this altitude, the island experiences frequent rain showers. There are two species of birds that inhabit the island. One raptor and the other is a small finch. The raptor enjoys eating small rats. 1. Before rats came to Islands A, B. C, and D, there was a high population of ancestral rats on Island Jackson, half a mile away. Island Jackson is made of volcanic rock. The center part of the island has rolling grasslands and many shallow lakes. Hidden within the caves near the grasslands are the ferocious cougars that prey on the island rats. In the box below draw a picture of your rat's ancestor. 2. Explain how evolution occurs in terms of natural selection. 3. Variation within a species allows different phenotypes to be selected. Explain how this is important for evolution to occur. 4. Speciation involves the creation of a new species from a common ancestor. How might your new rat be different from the rat you drew above? 5. What is an adaptation? 6. Recall that fitness is the ability of an organism to survive and pass along it’s genes to the next generation. How do adaptations affect the fitness of an organism? 7. List some factors that your rat has to deal with on their island. Include possible food options, predators they have to avoid, and any other environmental problems that they may have to adapt to. 8-12. In the table below, list 5 specific adaptations that your rat must have in order to be successful in survival and reproduction on your island. Then briefly explain why this adaptation will be beneficial. Use information about the island to support your decisions in the reasons column. The adaptations must be believable. Your rat probably didn’t grow wings or gills, for example. Adaptation: Reason: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 13. What type of selection puts pressure on a population to adapt to their environment? What’s another name for this? 14. In the box below draw a picture of your rat and then label your rat with the 5 adaptations you have chosen for it. 15. How does your rat compete for natural resources on the island (discussed in part 2 of Darwin's Theory)? 16. According to Darwin, what size litter would be most beneficial for your rat in order to ensure survival and why (discussed in part 3 of Darwin's Theory)? 17. If your rats third toe on their front left foot gets stuck between 2 boulders and torn off, will this trait be passed on to their offspring? Explain. 18. Describe Lamarck's theory of evolution (check your notes)? 19. How would Lamarck explain the differences between your rat and the ancestral rat from Island Jackson? 20. How would Darwin explain the differences between your rat and the ancestral rat from Island Jackson?