EVOLUTION TASK

Name: Nayla Rifa Syavana dan Ifda Laila

Class: 12.E
Date: ___________________

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the basic principles of evolution and natural selection.

2. Analyze the evidence supporting the theory of evolution.
3. Identify the role of genetic mutations, adaptation, and speciation in the process of
evolution.

Instructions:

 Read the provided material and answer the questions that follow.
 For each question, provide detailed answers where applicable.
 Use the diagram above to help with understanding the evolutionary process.

Part 1: Evolutionary Theory

1. What is Evolution?
Explain in your own words the process of evolution. Include the concepts of adaptation
and natural selection.

The process of change in living things due to genetic changes in response to certain
problems or adaptations so that living things experience natural selection. Natural
selection is a process by which those who are able to adapt best survive.
2. Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection:
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection as a mechanism of evolution.
Describe the key points of this theory and explain how it works

Darwin stated that evolution occurs due to natural selection, namely, organisms
that can adapt to their environment will be able to survive and produce offspring while
those that are not successful will become extinct. This theory is supported by the
following facts.
1. There is variation within a species: no two individuals are completely identical even
though they are one species
2. Each population tends to increase in number because it has the ability to reproduce
3. To reproduce, sufficient space and food are needed. food sources are limited but
relatively stable over a long period of time. therefore, there is an implicit need to
maintain sustainable life
4. There are limiting factors that prevent the population from increasing: individuals
who survive are individuals who are adaptive to their environment

.Part 2: Evidence of Evolution

3. Fossil Evidence:
Look at the fossil records and describe how they provide evidence for evolution. Include
at least two examples of species from different time periods.

Fossils are the remains of past organisms that have undergone mineralization in rocks.
Through the remains found, experts can speculate about the structure and traces of the
life activities of the animals that made them, so that it can be seen that there have been
changes, developments or successions of organisms that are direct evidence of evolution,
namely, from simple organisms to increasingly complex ones.
 Example: the 60 million year old hyracotherium (Eohippus) fossil and the 2 million year
old Equus fossil. These fossils are horse fossils that show changes, namely the body
getting bigger from the size of a cat to the size of a horse now, the distance between the
mouth and eyes getting further, the neck getting longer, changes in the shape of the
molars from leaf eaters to grass eaters, the legs getting longer and the reduction in the
number of toes from five toes to one toe

4. Comparative Anatomy:
Compare the anatomical structures of two species (e.g., the wings of a bat and the flipper
of a whale). How do these structures provide evidence for evolution?

Analogy is a body part of an organism that functions the same, but has a different
structure. For example, butterfly wings and bird wings both function to fly but have
different structures such as, Bird wings are made of bones, while butterfly wings are
made of a scaffold of veins stretched by a thin membrane, Birds have one pair of wings,
while butterflies have two pairs of wings, Bird wings are attached to the shoulder girdle,
while butterfly wings are attached to the second and third segments of the thorax.

This shows the existence of adaptation in the form of the development of living things
(butterflies and birds) from different origins, but because they live in the same
environment (air) they have certain organs (wings) that have the same function (flying)

Part 3: Genetics and Evolution

5. Genetic Mutations and Adaptation:

Explain the role of genetic mutations in the process of evolution. How do these mutations
lead to adaptations in species?
 Genetic mutations are random changes to DNA that can create new traits in organisms. If
the mutation provides a survival advantage in a certain environment for an individual, of
course the individual with this mutation will be more likely to survive, reproduce, and
pass on the new trait to the next generation.

6. Speciation:
Define speciation and explain how geographic isolation can lead to the formation of new
species.
Speciation is the process of creating a new species that is different from the
previous species. There are several main influencing factors in speciation: geographic
isolation, reproductive isolation, and genetic change.
Geographic isolation occurs when populations of a species are separated by
geographic barriers such as mountains or rivers. Since these populations cannot
interbreed, they evolve independently. Over time, genetic differences become so
significant that they can no longer interbreed, resulting in the formation of new species.

Part 4: Activities

7. Natural Selection Simulation (Optional):

Using the scenario provided below, simulate the process of natural selection in a
population of animals.

Scenario: In a forest, there are two types of moths—light-colored and dark-colored. The
dark-colored moths are better camouflaged against the dark trees, while the light-colored
moths are easily spotted by predators. Over time, the dark-colored moths become more
common in the population.

Questions:
 a. Why did the dark-colored moths become more common?
Dark-colored moths are easier to camouflage because the trees are dark too. So,
they are harder for predators to find. Over time, dark-colored moths became more
common in the population because there were fewer predators to find.

b. How does this demonstrate natural selection?

It shows that those who can adapt, camouflage, or have traits that suit the
environment will be able to survive better and pass on these traits to the next
generation.

8. Evolution Timeline:
Using the diagram, trace the evolution of any two species shown. Highlight the key
changes in these species that demonstrate evolution in action.

1. Evolusi Kuda:

The ancestors of horses, such as Eohippus, had small bodies, short legs and many
fingers. This helped them live in a dense forest environment.

Over time, horses evolved to have larger bodies, toes fused into a single hoof, and
legs became longer. These adaptations allowed them to run faster on open
grasslands, helping them avoid predators.
 2. Evolusi Paus:

The ancestors of whales were four-legged land mammals, like Pakicetus. They
lived on land but began foraging in water.

Over millions of years, they underwent significant changes: hind legs shrank,
flippers developed, nostrils moved to the top of the head (blowholes), and the
body became more aerodynamic for swimming. These changes indicate their
adaptation from land to an aquatic environment.

Part 5: Reflection

9. Reflection Question:
After learning about the theory of evolution, do you think evolution is still happening
today? Provide reasons for your answer.
Yes, evolution is still happening today. Take antibiotic resistance in bacteria for example.
Bacteria that have genetic mutations to resist antibiotics can survive and multiply, while
other bacteria die. This shows that evolution still takes place through natural selection.