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Evolution: Are you related to a sea monster? Virtual Lab

Learn the basic mechanisms of evolution in order to simulate how a population evolved over hundreds of years, and learn how random mutations are the basis of natural selection.

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Evolution: Are you related to a sea monster?

About this Simulation

In the Evolution lab, your first task will be to identify an unknown sea creature that was washed ashore in Cambodia in 2013. By sequencing its DNA, you can compare it with other organisms in the sequencing database and construct a phylogenetic tree to depict its relatedness to other organisms. What is this creature? Can you identify it?

You will learn how mutations and natural selection result in adaptation. You will identify a mutation in an allele and observe how it’s passed on to subsequent generations, and can increase the genetic diversity of the population. You will also learn the basics of population genetics and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this simulation, you will be able to:

  • Understand how populations evolve by adapting to their environment

  • Understand the basic mechanisms of evolution

  • Understand evolution as the foundation of biology and show evidence for it

  • Use DNA sequencing and phylogenetic trees to identify an unknown creature

  • Deal with common misconceptions about the theory of evolution

Techniques in Lab

At the end of this simulation, you will be able to:

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