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keep it simple science Biology Module 3

Biological Diversity
WORKSHEETS
Worksheet 1 Evidence for Evolution
Guided Notes. (Make your own summary) Student Name......................................
1. 7.
The word “evolution” means... What does each set of facts prove or suggest about
evolution of life?

a) Biogeography
2.
Palaeontology is the study of...
b) Comparative Embryology
3.
Briefly outline the difference between “relative
dating” & “absolute dating” of fossils. c) Comparative Anatomy

d) Comparative Biochemistry

e) Selective Breeding of domestic plants & animals

4.
Approximately, when was: 8.
a) the formation of the Earth? How important is radiometric measurement to
establishing absolute ages of rocks & fossils?
b) the first living cells?

c) the first autotrophs?

d) the first eukaryotic cells?

e) the first multicellular organisms?

9.
f) the first life on land? Outline the contributions of:

5. a) the electron microscope

In general outline, how does Palaeontology support
the evolution of life on Earth? What is the pattern?

b) DNA technology

6.
What is the significance of “transitional fossils”?
Describe an example.

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® Worksheet 2 Theory of Evolution

keep it simple science Student Name......................................
Fill in the blanks
The Theory of Evolution was developed Changes to actual populations have been
independently by a)........................................ observed. The n)......................... Moth of
and ..................................................... England was observed to undergo a
population change over generations due to
It can be summarised in 5 main points: o)..................................... pollution changing
1. All organisms produce b)......................... the background colours of its environment.
............................................................. This led to a change in the ratio of
p).............................................................
2. Every species shows c).............................
Another example was due to a chemical
3. d)”.....................................................” change in the environment. When the
occurs to choose the survivors. insecticide q)....................... was widely
used it acted as a r)”..........................
4. Those organisms e)................................. agent”, causing many pest species to
to the environment survive and f).................. evolve to become s)..............................
This is called g)”.........................................
..............................” “Divergent Evolution” is when one species
t).......................... into ..................................
5. Over generations, the species This happens when different populations
h)............................... because the selected of a species become u)................................
characteristics are being passed on in from each other. Each population is
greater proportions. subject to different v).................................
pressure due to the differing
“Natural Selection” refers to the way that environments.
the forces of nature choose who survives.
These “forces of nature” could include “w)....................... Evolution” is when quite
disease, i)............................... and unrelated species evolve to
......................................., and any factors in x)............................. each other.
the environment. “Survival of the Fittest” This can happen because they live in
refers to how the organisms y)............................ environments and so
j)........................................ to the natural selection favours evolution of
environment will survive and k)..................... similar z).......................................
A good example is the shark and
Variation within a population is vital so that aa)............................... which have many
if the environment changes, there are more common ab).................................. even
likely to be some individuals who will though they are not ac)...............................
l)............................. and m)............................. to each other.

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® Worksheet 3 Exam-Style Questions (2 pages)

keep it simple science Answer in the spaces provided. Student Name......................................

Multiple Choice Longer Response Questions

1. Mark values given are suggestions only, and are to give
The fossil record shows a pattern, from ancient you an idea of how detailed an answer is appropriate.
times to recent times, of:
A. more complexity to less complexity. 8. (4 marks)
B. greater diversity to less diversity. Explain the difference between “relative dating” of
C. increasing complexity and diversity. fossils and “absolute dating”, by outlining how
D. no distinct pattern of change. each is achieved and what each can tell you about
fossils.
2.
The famous “archaeopteryx” is a:
A. common fossil, found in many rock layers.
B. “transitional form”, showing a stage
of evolution.
C. “index fossil”, useful for correlating between
locations.
D. “living fossil”; an extremely primitive bird
alive today.

3.
Two types of evidence which both suggest descent
from a common ancestor are:
A. embryos of vertebrates & the pentadactyl limb.
B. convergent evolution and biochemistry.
C. DNA structure and the biogeography.
D. natural selection and survival of the fittest.
9. (5 marks)
4. Comparative Anatomy can give evidence supporting
“Natural Selection” refers to the idea of evolution.
A. those organisms best suited to the a) Outline an example of comparative anatomy that
environment survive and reproduce. gives such evidence.
B. factors of the environment determining which
organisms survive and which do not.
C. the changes to living things over generations.
D. the way that not all organisms can survive
because too many offspring are produced.

5. b) State how this example is evidence of evolution.

The really important part of “Survival of the Fittest”
is:
A. being very well adapted to the environment.
B. living a long and healthy life.
C. being “chosen” to survive.
D. reproducing many offspring.

6.
A species has a better chance of long-term survival c) Outline facts from another field of study which
during changes to the environment if: gives similar evidence.
A. it reproduces asexually.
B. most individuals are similarly adapted.
C. the species has a lot of genetic variation.
D. there are many large, strong individuals.

7.
An example of “microevolution” that has actually
been observed to happen, is:
A. the extinction of the dodo.
B. divergence of “Darwin’s finches” on the
Galapagos Islands.
C. convergence of the shark and dolphin.
D. development of antibiotic resistance.

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® Worksheet 3 ...continued
keep it simple science Student Name......................................
10. (3 marks)
Give an outline of how DNA technology (& other 13. (4 marks)
biochemical analysis) can help us understand the Differentiate between “convergent” and
evolution of life. “divergent” evolution, giving an example of each.

11. (5 marks)
Outline (in 5 numbered points) the Darwin-Wallace
Theory of Evolution.

1. 14. (3 marks)
Give an example of “micro-evolution”, including
2. the “selecting agent” & the outcome of the
process.

3.

4.

5.

15. (5 marks)
a) Outline the general evolutionary changes which
lead to the modern horse, especially the trend in:
12. ( marks)
Give an explanation of the meaning of each word or i) body size.
phrase.

a) Natural Selection: ii) structure of the feet / toes.

iii) tooth structure.

b) “Fittest”:

b) Explain these trends as adaptations to an

environmental change.
c) “Survival”:

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® Worksheet 4 Adaptations Research Workshop

keep it simple science This activity might be done as a small group research, “brainstorm” & report, or as a
task for individuals. Note that for some questions there is no single correct answer. Our answer section
contains suggestions, sample answers & ideas, but other responses may be appropriate.

Q1. Q4.
a) Define “adaptation” in simple terms. The huge & colourful tail display of the male
peacock “costs” a lot of time & energy to grow. The
tail makes it difficult for the bird to fly or move
quickly in its natural forest environment & attracts
the attention of predators.
b) List & define 3 categories of adaptation.
Explain this feature as a beneficial adaptation in an
evolutionary sense. (Bird-of-Paradise plummage is
in the same category... what’s the advantage?)

Q2.
This “angler fish” has
gills to breathe in
water, fins for
swimming & a cute
little fake worm that it
wiggles just above its
mouth as a “bait”.
All 3 features can be considered “adaptations”.
How might these different features be interpreted in Q5.
different ways? Research “mimicry” in the animal world & explain
this as an evolved adaptation using a named
example.

Q3.
Many organisms share a relationship with another
species which help them both survive. (This is Q6.
called “mutualism”) The classic example is the Darwin thought that evolution worked because of
honey bee & various flowering plants. not only “Natural Selection”, but also “Sexual
Selection”. Outline the argument, using an example.
a) What benefit(s) does each species receive from
the relationship?

b) Research “co-evolution” & report some

interesting aspect(s) you discover.

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® Worksheet 5 Adaptations & Environmental Effects

keep it simple science Student Name......................................
Guided Notes. (Make your own summary)
3.
1. a) Describe a hypothetical situation where the
a) The 3 categories of “adaptations” are... abundance of a species might be affected by a
change in a biotic factor in the environment.

b) Which of these do you need to be careful about

& not jump to hasty conclusions? Explain.
b) Describe a hypothetical situation where the
abundance of a species might be affected by a
change in an abiotic factor in the environment.
c)
The red kangaroo lives in arid environments & must
conserve water to survive. When overheating, it
cannot afford to sweat to cool down... this would
lose valuable water. Instead:
• it licks its fore-arms. Evaporating saliva cools it.

• it has NO sweat glands. 4. For the same scenarios described in Q3,

describe another possible change to the species
due to:
• its surface veins dilate (expand) automatically so
that more heat is carried to the skin to radiate away. a) the same changed biotic factor.

Classify each of the above features into a category

described in (a).

2.
a) Outline Darwin’s observations of the Galapagos
finches.
c) the same changed abiotic factor.

b) What was his (later) explanation?

c) Is this “convergent” or “divergent” evolution?

Explain.

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® Answer Section
keep it simple science
9.
Worksheet 1 a) Elect. microscopes allow the study of not just
1. macroscopic fossil bones, etc., but fossilised cells
“Evolution” refers to a series of changes which & tissues in some fossil deposits.
follow a particular pattern, ie not just random.
b) Sequencing all the DNA in a living thing’s
2. genome allows comparisons between species which
Fossils lead to measures of “relatedness” between species
& estimates of how long ago a common ancestor
3. lived.
Relative dating places fossils in time order (but This has revealed that all modern life-forms are
cannot suggest time in years) using: descended from a common ancestor.
• the idea that lower sedimentary layers must be
older, and Worksheet 2
• correlations from one place to another of identical a) Charles Darwin & Alfred Wallace
fossil layers. b) more offspring than can possibly survive
c) variation (genetic diversity)
Absolute dating can place a numerical value on the d) Natural Selection
age of a fossil (or rather the rocks adjacent) by e) best suited f) reproduce / breed
measurement of residual radioactivity. g) Survival of the Fittest
h) evolves / changes
4. all numbers approx. in Myr BP. i) predators, disease, food supply
a) 4,600 b) 3,800 j) who are best suited
c) 3,200 d) 1,600 k) reproduce l) survive
e) 700 f) 400 m) reproduce n) Pepper
o) industrial p) black to light-colour moths
5. q) DDT r) selection
The fossil sequences show a pattern of change: s) resistant t) a) Charles Darwin & Alfred
increasing complexity & biodiversity over time... Wallace
evolution. b) more offspring than can possibly survive
c) variation (genetic diversity)
6. d) Natural Selection
Transitional fossils give evidence of the evolution e) best suited f) reproduce / breed
from one “type” into another. The most famous is g) Survival of the Fittest h) evolves / changes
Archaeopteryx, a dinosaur-bird. i) predators, food, supply
It has a skeleton like a small dinosaur, but has j) who are best suited
wings & feathers. It has jaws with teeth & a bony, k) reproduce l) survive
feathered tail. m) reproduce n) Pepper
o) industrial p) black to light moths
7. q) DDT r) selection
a) Biogeography explains the way that many s) resistant
species of plants & animals are distributed on t) evolves into several / more than one
different continents in terms of evolution from u) isolated v) selection
different ancestors in each place. The explanations w) Convergent x) resemble
are also consistent with the evidence for Plate y) similar / same z) characteristics / adaptations
Tectonics. aa) dolphin ab) features / adaptations
ac) closely related
b), (c) & (d) are all explained by descent from
common ancestors. Worksheet 3
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. D 6. C 7.D
e) Proves that species can be significantly changed
into new types when certain traits are selected for 8.
breeding preferentially. Relative Dating is done on the principle that lower
sedimentary layers are older and also by correlating
8. fossils from one place to another. This allows
It is vital. scientists to put things in order, from oldest to
The method involves measuring the levels of youngest, but the actual ages cannot be determined.
residual radioactivity in a rock. Other radiometric
measurements reveal how much was present when Absolute Dating involves measuring the radiation
the rock formed. from naturally occurring radio-isotopes. These
Since the “rate of decay” is known, the absolute age “decay” at known rates, so the amount of radiation
of the rock can be calculated. remaining in a rock or fossil allows the actual age in
years to be determined.

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® Answer Section
keep it simple science 13.
Divergent evolution is when one ancestral species
Worksheet 3 (cont.) evolves into 2 or more different species. An example
9. is the finches of the Galapagos islands, where a
a) The pentadactyl limb of the vertebrate animals. different species of finch has evolved on each
Whether lizard leg, whale flipper of bat’s wing, they separate island, all from a single ancestral species.
all have the same basic bone arrangement, even
when used for totally different purposes. Convergent evolution is when different species
evolve to resemble each other, even though they are
b) This is evidence consistent with descent from a not closely related. An example is the shark & dolphin
common ancestor which had that bone structure. which are both streamlined, fast-swimming look-
alikes, but are not related in an evolutionary sense.
c) Similar evidence comes from embryology. The
embryos of vertebrates are remarkably similar even 14.
though each develops into quite different adults. An example is the development of resistance to
This is consistent with descent from a common antibiotics by various types of disease-causing
ancestor which had an embryo like that. bacteria. The antibiotic serves as a selecting agent
(especially if used improperly) killing non-resistant
10. bacteria, but not those with some natural resistance.
Sequencing the DNA of different species allows The survivors reproduce, so that subsequent
their degree of “relatedness” to be determined very generations have greater proportions of resistant
precisely, since closely related species have very individuals.
similar DNA.
The final outcome is large populations of resistant
This has revealed that all life today shares certain germs which are a threat to human health.
basic chemical features. This suggests that all
living species are related & evolved from a single 15.
common ancestor. a) i) Horses have generally become larger.
ii) From an original 5-toed paw, the horse has
11. changed to run on the hoof (fingernail) of its middle
(Best in 5 numbered points) toe.
1. All species produce more offspring than can iii) Teeth have grown large, with complex, ridged
survive. molars capable of grinding food thoroughly.
2. There is variation within each species... not all
the same. b) All these changes are believed to be adaptations to
3. “Natural Selection”: the factors of the a changing climate which caused a shift from forests
environment choose which individuals survive. to open, grassy plains. The changes in the horse
4. “Survival of the Fittest”: those best suited to the allowed it to survive on tough grass, while seeing &
environment survive and reproduce. outrunning predators in open country.
5. The “survival characteristics” get passed on to
offspring so each generation is slightly different
than before. Over many generations the species Worksheet 4
changes... it evolves. 1.
a) An adaptation is a “special feature” which helps
12. a species survive in its natural habitat or niche.
a) The process where the conditions of the
environment (plus dumb luck in some cases) select b) Adaptations can be structural, physiological or
which individuals survive & which do not. behavioural.
b) “Fittest” refers to those individuals which have 2.
inherited characteristics (adaptations) which suit All 3 features are adaptations, but 2 of them are
their environment & give them a survival advantage. ancient “ancestral” adaptations which evolved
500Myr BP or more and are shared with all other
c) “Survival” really means to live long enough to fish.
reproduce.
Only the wiggly “lure” is a specific adaptation to a
particular niche. (Even that is shared with many
species within this “family” of fish).

The angler fish relies on camouflage & its “bait” to

lure prey close enough to eat.

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® Answer Section
keep it simple science Worksheet 4 (cont.)
Worksheet 4
6.
(cont.) (This topic has already been touched on in Q4)
3. In many species the males “compete” to be chosen
a) The bee benefits from a guaranteed food supply or accepted by the females for mating.
of nectar & pollen.
The plant receives the huge benefit of reliable From the female situation, there is a survival
pollination for reproduction. advantage in choosing a strong robust male. Her
offspring will inherit his strong attributes and in
b) Co-evolution can include predator-prey some species she & the young will be protected by
relationships, or parasite-host, as well as that powerful father.
mutualism.
This generally results in the males being larger,
Interesting theory: it is possible that the stronger & equipped with larger antlers, horns, etc.,
development & prevalence of sexual reproduction is because those features result in more successful
an adaptation spurred on by parasites & diseases. reproduction, because females choose them. These
are “survival” traits for males & become
The idea is that to keep evolving little adaptations predominant in the species.
to prevent / minimise parasite damage or death, it is
an advantage to have more & more variations within Examples: many.
a population. Sexual reproduction provides those Male deer stags are larger & have huge antlers in
variations by mixing up the genes. the mating season. Male bison are larger, stronger
& more aggressive than females. Male red
Sex may have been invented to beat diseases & kangaroos same.
blood-suckers. That’s interesting!
(It may be interesting to discuss what role sexual
4. selection has played in human evolution)
The advantage is reproduction!

The females choose their mate according to the

male’s display. Therefore, those males with the
Worksheet 5
1.
most colourful display get to pass their genes on a) Structural, physiological & behavioural.
more successfully. b) Behavioural.
Evolutionary adaptations have to be inherited.
While their chance of survival in the face of Some behaviours are learned, especially from the
predators is diminished, this is more than young watching their parents.
compensated for by reproductive success. You have to be careful in identifying a behavioural
Don’t forget that “survival of the fittest” is really adaptation that it is not a learned behaviour.
about reproduction.
c)
5. • Licking forearms is a behavioural adaptation.
Mimicry refers to how some living things have (Not learned. Orphan joeys raised without contact
evolved to look very similar to something else. with other ‘roos will do this. Must be inherited,
instinctive behaviour.)
A simple example is the various “stick insects”
which look like a twig on a tree. The advantage of • Lack of sweat glands is a structural adaptation.
such camouflage is obvious.
• Dilation of veins is physiological.
More interesting is how many harmless species
have evolved to resemble a dangerous or 2.
poisonous species. a) He noted 13 species (across 8 different islands)
Image by Alvesgaspar CCA-3.0
For example, there are many which were all very similar & apparently related.
However, they each had different beak sizes, and
species of “hoverfly” such as
some had different body sizes & colourations.
the one shown.
They are harmless, but their b) He suggested that they all evolved from a
colour patterns resemble a common ancestral species which had spread to
stinging wasp or bee. each of the islands. On each island the conditions
Predators (such as small birds) quickly learn not to were different (vegetation, water, foods available) so
try to eat wasps... they sting! The hoverfly gains a different selection pressures caused evolution in
survival advantage by resembling a wasp... divergent directions, eventually causing each
predators leave them alone. Natural selection has (isolated) population to become a different species.
“chosen” this colour pattern from among the many
ancestral colour schemes.
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® Answer Section
keep it simple science 4.
Worksheet 5 (cont.) a) (hypothetical) Among the prey species, some
2. individuals are nervy, light sleepers, easily spooked.
c) Divergent. (= move apart) They have a greater chance of survival during the
The finches have diverged into different types which predator’s night attacks because they wake & flee.
eventually became separate, new species.
If they were to be mixed together again they would They survive & breed and over generations the prey
now be unable to inter-breed. species contains more & more nervy, light sleepers.
This is micro-evolution of a behavioural adaptation.
3. The selection pressure of the new predation tactic is
a) Imagine that a new predator has migrated into an driving natural selection.
ecosystem. Rather than chasing herds of prey like
other predators, it carries out sneak attacks at night, b) (actual likely scenario) Among the ancestors of
taking sleeping animals unawares. the red kangaroos there were some individuals with
slightly more efficient kidneys. They could conserve
Being very successful, the predator’s number grow water by making more concentrated urine. This
(lots of food = lots of surviving offspring) while the gave them a slightly better chance to survive an El
prey species numbers decline. Nino drought and breed later.

b) (This example is not hypothetical, but actual) Over generations, this trait has become a
When a severe El Nino drought affects Australia, the predominant feature of the species.
population of Red Kangaroos declines dramatically. (Any individuals who lack this trait will be the first
Without rain for several years, there may be no to die in the next drought!)
water available in some areas and the amount of
plant food is inadequate. Many ‘roos starve to death.

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