Dr. Sabin's Biology Class
Unit 1: Evolutionary Biology
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Unit Overview

Chapter 14: History of Life
Sections   Essential Questions:
1. Biogenesis   1a. How does the concept of biogenesis contrast with spontaneous generation?
      1b. How did scientists develop the concept of biogenesis?
2. Earth's History   2a. How have scientists attempted to experiment with the origin of life on earth?
      2b. What hypothese have been developed for the origin of life?
         
Terminology:
biogenesis, spontaneous generation, radiometric dating, radioactive decay, radioactive isotopes, half-life, organic, microspheres, coacervates, astrobiology
         

Chapter 15: Theory of Evolution
Sections   Essential Questions:
1. History of Evolutionary Thought   1a. What observations led Darwin to the theory of evolution by natural selection?
      1b. How do scientists describe the process of evolution?
2. Evidence of Evolution   2a. What are the major lines of evidence for evolutionary theory?
      2b. How is the theory of evolution continuing to develop?
3. Evolution in Action   3a. How do the concepts of divergent and convergent evolution fit into the larger theory of evolution?
      3b. How can organisms undergo coevolution?
         
Terminology:
evolution, strata, natural selection, adaptation, fitness, descent with modification, inheritance, overproduction, genetic variation, differential reproduction, biogeography, homologous structures, analogous structures, vestigial structures, phylogeny, convergent evolution, divergent evolution, adaptive radiation, artificial selection, coevolution
         

Chapter 16: Population Genetics and Speciation
Sections:   Essential Questions:
1. Genetic Equilibrium   1a. How do scientists study variation within populations?
      1b. How does the bell curve help us understand population genetics?
      1c. What is Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium?
2. Disruption of Genetic Equilibrium   2a. What are the conditions that allow evolution?
      2b. How do different types of selection affect populations?
3. Formation of Species   3a. How does speciation occur over time?
      3b. How do the concepts of punctuated equilibrium and gradualism differ in their ability to explain change over time?
         
Terminology:
population genetics, microevolution, bell curve, gene pool, allele frequency, phenotype frequency, Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, immigration, emigration, gene flow, genetic drift, sexual selection, stabilizing selection, disruptive selection, directional selection, speciation, morphology, biological species concept, geographical isolation, allopatric speciation, reproductive isolation, prezygotic isolation, postzygotic isolation, sympatric isolation, gradualism, punctuated equilibrium
         

Chapter 17: Classification
Sections:   Essential Questions:
1. Biodiversity   1a. How is the concept of biodiversity related to biological classification?
      1b. How did the scientific process of classification develop over time?
      1c. What are the levels of classification for biological organisms?
2. Systematics   2a. What types of evidence and research are used to classify organisms?
      2b. How are phylogenetics and cladistics used in classifying organisms?
3. Modern Classification   3a. How did scientists develop the three domain and six kingdom systems of classification?
      3b. How and why are scientists continuing to change classification systems?
         

Terminology:
biodiversity, taxonomy, taxon, kingdom, domain, phylum, division, class, order, family, genus, species, binomial nomenclature, subspecies, systematics, phylogenetics, phylogenetic diagram, cladistics, shared character, derived character, clade, cladogram, Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya, Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia

         
 
         
  Listen to students give short reviews on selected topics:
         
 
How does natural selection work?
Alexei and Shelice
Katherine and Samantha
Shirley
 
What are the major types of evidence for evolution?
Caroline and Jacky
Karinda and Josh
 
How does speciation occur?
Keith and Anna
Leslie