Science Homework Help

Part One: Due Tuesday, 06/22/2021

Choose one of the following questions to answer – 2 paragraphs

1) Connect your study of genetics last week to human evolution this week by conducting independent research into human chromosome #2. Explain how chromosome numbers in human presented a testable challenge to our understanding of Homo sapiens descent from a common primate ancestor. Be sure to explain how this challenge was tested and what we found. Here are some good sources for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FGYzZOZxMw

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/07/3/l_073_47.html

2) Describe and explain how scientists are using genetics to trace the relationships between different human populations and migrations via the Genographic Project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGtaq3PiIoU
 

https://reimaginingmigration.org/teaching-with-nat…
 

https://phys.org/news/2011-11-genographic-humans-m…

3) Describe the process of Endosymbiosis as it relates to either Mitochondria or Chloroplasts.

https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/…
https://mmegias.webs.uvigo.es/02-english/5-celulas…

4) Clarify a Misconception from the list below. This is a partial list of some of the poplar misconceptions about evolution:

Misconceptions about evolutionary theory and processes

• Evolution is a theory about the origin of life.
• Evolutionary theory implies that life evolved (and continues to evolve) randomly, or by chance.
• Evolution results in progress; organisms are always getting better through evolution.
• Individual organisms can evolve during a single lifespan.
• Evolution only occurs slowly and gradually.
• Because evolution is slow, humans cannot influence it.
• Genetic drift only occurs in small populations.
• Humans are not currently evolving.
• Species are distinct natural entities, with a clear definition, that can be easily recognized by anyone.

Misconceptions about natural selection and adaptation

• Natural selection involves organisms trying to adapt.
• Natural selection gives organisms what they need.
• Humans can’t negatively impact ecosystems, because species will just evolve what they need to survive.
• Natural selection acts for the good of the species.
• The fittest organisms in a population are those that are strongest, healthiest, fastest, and/or largest.
• Natural selection is about survival of the very fittest individuals in a population.
• Natural selection produces organisms perfectly suited to their environments.

Misconceptions about evolution and the nature of science

• Evolution is not science because it is not observable or testable.
• Evolution is ‘just’ a theory.
• Evolutionary theory is invalid because it is incomplete and cannot give a total
  explanation for the biodiversity we see around us.
  
  
   
• Gaps in the fossil record disprove evolution.

Misconceptions about the acceptance of evolution

• The theory of evolution is flawed, but scientists won’t admit it.
• Evolution is a theory in crisis and is collapsing as scientists lose confidence in it.
• Most biologists have rejected ‘Darwinism’ and no longer agree with the ideas put forth by Darwin and Wallace.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-origin-of-our-species.html

Part 2: Due Thursday, 06/24/2021

Post two or more paragraphs evaluating the significance of your selected mutation’s role in human evolution. Your evaluation should include the following:

• A brief description of the mutation
• A brief explanation of when and how the mutation occurred
• At least two ways in which the human population benefited from the mutation
• Your position on the significance of this mutation in human evolution