Download Natural Selection Finch Beak Lab

NAME:_______________________________
PERIOD:_________ DATE: ____/____/____
Bird Beak Natural Selection Lab
Introduction
On the distant planet Alderaan, there exists three species of birds. They are native to eight different, nearby
islands in Alderaan. Each species has its own unique genetic variations and traits. The most noticeable variation that sets
the three species apart are their beaks.
1. Birdicus spoonificus have spoon-shaped beaks.
2. Birdicus chopstickicus have chopstick-shaped beaks.
3. Birdicus forkicus have fork-shaped beaks.
Purpose
In this lab, you will be simulating natural selection with these three bird species. Birdicus spoonificus, Birdicus
chopstickicus, and Birdicus forkicus live in eight islands. These three species feed at the different islands that each have
their own unique environments and habitats. The eight islands are named after their main food sources found in the
environment. The islands and food sources are as follows:
a. Marshmallow Island,
e. Rubber band Island,
b. Black Bean Island,
f. Candy Island,
c. Chili Pepper Island,
g. Pasta Island,
d. Rice Island,
h. Osyter Island
Roles
1.
2.
3.
4.
Timer (needs to use/borrow a phone with a timer)
Birdicus spoonificus
Birdicus chopstickicus
Birdicus forkicus
Pre-Lab Questions. Answer using complete sentences.
1. What is evolution?
2. What is natural selection?
3. What is a variation?
4. What is fitness? What does it mean to have “increased fitness” or “high fitness”?
5. Explain the relationship between fitness and variations. What kinds of variations lead to increased fitness?
Hypotheses
Write a hypothesis (prediction) FOR EACH OF THE EIGHT ISLANDS.
SAMPLE: I think that [bird species] will be able to capture more [food source] than the other birds, because… [reason]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Procedure
1. Decide who will be each role (1 person per role). There will be an opportunity to switch around. Make sure
everyone gets a chance to try each role.
2. Have 1 person get one bag of food, which represents the food source on one of the eight islands.
3. Have the 1 person get one cup per bird. The 3 cups represent the birds’ nests.
4. Pour a small portion of the food source carefully onto the table.
5. Have each “bird” gather around the food source with their beak variation (spoon, chopstick, or fork).
6. The timer will set a stopwatch for 15 seconds. During this time, each bird will gather as much food as they can
using their beak variation. DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS. The only thing touching the food is the beak variation.
**DO NOT MAKE A MESS AND SPILL ON THE FLOOR DURING THIS STEP**
7. After 20 seconds, the timer will tell the birds to stop getting food for their nests (cups).
8. The bird with the most food in their cup has had the most successful variation for that food source on the island.
9. Have each bird count the number of food items they got for their nest after each round. NOTE: you will have to
estimate the number of rice grains for Rice Island.
10. Write the numbers in the data table for the appropriate food source, trial, and bird species.
11. You will do 3 trials per island. Switch roles every island (food source), so everyone gets a chance to try each role.
12. Repeat Steps 1-10 until all eight islands have been visited.
Conclusion Graph
Directions: Using the data collected from the data table, make a bar or line graph for every island. Make sure to label
your x-axis, y-axis, and have a title for each graph. Attach the graphs to this handout.
Conclusion Questions
1. What caused the birds to have different shaped beaks? Explain your reasoning.
2. Imagine there was a new bird species on Asgard called Birdificus cupus. This bird species has a large cup-sized
beak. Predict the fitness of Birdificus cupus to the fitness of the original three species on Rice Island. Which
species would have the highest fitness? The lowest fitness? Make sure to explain your reasons why.
3. What is competition in regards to evolution and natural selection? HINT: you will have to look this up.
4. Sometimes, organisms that are newly introduced into an environment they have never lived in before out-compete
and endanger the organisms that already live there. Why do you think this happens?
5. If only one species is considered to be the “fittest”, then why do you continue to have so many other species
surviving in an area?
6. What is the connection between fitness and genes? Explain your reasoning. Make sure to include at least one
example from the Bird Beak Natural Selection Lab.