Week 3: Synthesis & Assessment

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⚠️ ASSESSMENT WEEK - Important Information

This is your cumulative assessment for Cycle 3 Evolution unit.
You may NOT go back once you submit each part.
Complete all 3 parts in order: Synthesis → Assessment → Misconception Check
Take breaks between parts - your brain works better with rest!
Ask Mr. Rosche if you need clarification on any question.

Simulation: Evolution Synthesis

PREDICT

A population of beetles lives in a forest that is changing from green to brown. Predict: After 10 generations, what will happen to the proportion of brown beetles? Will the population's average color shift?

Your Simulation Summary

Your prediction: —

Trial results: —

Average result: —

OBSERVE

Run the simulation for 10+ generations. Record: (1) How does the trait distribution change? (2) Do all individuals change, or does the population proportion shift? (3) What happens if you change the environmental pressure?

EXPLAIN

Why do individuals NOT evolve, but populations DO? Use the terms "variation," "selection pressure," and "differential survival" in your explanation.

📝 What You Need to Know (Review Guide)

Week	Key Concepts
Week 1 Natural Selection	Variation → Selection → Survival → Reproduction → Population Change POPULATIONS evolve, not individuals Variation must exist BEFORE selection Individuals cannot change their genes through actions (anti-Lamarck)
Week 2 Evolutionary Evidence	Homologous structures = same bones, different function (common ancestor) Analogous structures = different bones, same function (convergent evolution) Transitional fossils = show intermediate stages (Tiktaalik, Archaeopteryx) Vestigial structures = reduced features from ancestors
Cycle 2 Spiral	Newton's 3rd Law: Equal and opposite forces (size doesn't matter!) F=ma: Same force + less mass = more acceleration Physics determines what traits help survival

🎯 Practice These Vocabulary Terms

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ WRONG (Lamarckian Thinking)	✅ CORRECT (Darwinian)
"Giraffes stretched their necks to reach leaves, so their offspring had longer necks"	[Image comparing Lamarckian evolution and Darwinian natural selection using giraffes] Variation in neck length already existed; longer-necked giraffes survived better and reproduced more
"Whales evolved flippers BECAUSE they moved to the ocean"	Some individuals happened to have limb variations better suited for swimming; they survived better in water
"The elephant pushes harder because it's bigger"	Newton's 3rd Law: Forces are EQUAL and opposite regardless of size

🐋 Whale Evolution Timeline (Reference)

Stage	Million Years Ago	Key Features
Pakicetus	50 MYA	4 legs, land animal, whale-like inner ear
Ambulocetus	48 MYA	4 legs, webbed feet, swam + walked
Rodhocetus	46 MYA	Smaller legs, larger tail, more aquatic
Basilosaurus	37 MYA	Tiny vestigial legs, fully aquatic
Modern Whales	Today	Flippers with finger bones inside, vestigial hip bones

🔗 Part 1: Synthesis Review

20 Points | ~15 Minutes | Connects Week 1 + Week 2

What you'll do:

Explain how natural selection (Week 1 mechanism) produces the evidence (Week 2)
Identify the best evidence for whale evolution
Apply natural selection to Tiktaalik evolution
Connect forces (Cycle 2) to survival advantages

📝 COMPLETE PART 1

⏸️ Take a 5-minute break before Part 2!

📝 Part 2: Cumulative Assessment

60 Points | ~40 Minutes | All Learning Targets

Sections:

Section A: Natural Selection Mechanism (15 pts) - Apply the mechanism
Section B: Evidence for Evolution (15 pts) - Homologous, analogous, transitional
Section C: Connecting Mechanism to Evidence (15 pts) - Synthesis
Section D: Constructing Explanations (15 pts) - SEP-6 Science Practice

⚠️ You cannot go back once you submit. Read carefully!

📝 COMPLETE PART 2

⏸️ Take a 5-minute break before Part 3!

🎯 Part 3: Misconception Check

20 Points | ~20 Minutes | Final Chance!

What this tests:

Lamarckian Misconception: "Use it or lose it" / "Organisms change BECAUSE they need to"
Newton's 3rd Law: Equal and opposite forces (bigger ≠ more force!)
F=ma Application: Same force + less mass = more acceleration
These questions are designed to catch common errors - think carefully!

📝 COMPLETE PART 3

🎉 Cycle 3 Complete!

Congratulations on finishing the Evolution unit!

Key Takeaways:

Natural selection requires variation + differential survival
POPULATIONS evolve, not individuals
Homologous structures prove common ancestry
Transitional fossils show evolution in progress
Physics (F=ma, N3L) determines survival advantages

Self-Assessment

Reflect on your learning this cycle. Rate your confidence on each topic covered.