Download Slow or Fast? - St. Francis Cathedral School

Name
Date
Class
Slow or Fast?
Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are two patterns that describe the
rate of evolution. In this activity, you will explore some of the characteristics
of each pattern as you look at the evolution of imaginary “shape” species.
INQUIRY FOCUS Infer
Procedure
1.
Materials
Each of the shape illustrations on the handout
represents a different species that came from a
common ancestor. Cut out each shape illustration.
2. Determine which shape illustration represents the
ancestor. Glue or tape this shape to the bottom of a
sheet of white paper.
shape species handout
scissors
paper
glue or tape
3. Put the other species in order to show how they could
have evolved from the ancestor. Your diagrams should move from simple
to more complex and should show one change at a time. Your diagram can
include branches.
4. When you are satisfied with the placement of all of the species, glue or tape them
down on the paper.
Think It Over
Defend this statement: The evolution of the shape species represents gradualism.
What changes would you have to make to the diagram so that it illustrates
punctuated equilibrium?
161
RATE OF CHANGE
Shape Species
145
CHANGE OVER TIME