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Natural Selection Simulation for Mice

This document describes a classroom activity to model natural selection through simulating the survival of mice populations over multiple generations based on their fur color and environmental conditions. Students will use mouse cards representing genotypes and event cards for survival outcomes to track changes in populations of white and brown mice in either a white sand dune or brown forest floor environment over three generations. Observations and data on mouse and event cards as well as generation-by-generation population counts will be recorded in data tables. Students will then analyze the results to understand how natural selection can change populations over time based on environmental pressures.

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8 views3 pages

Natural Selection Simulation for Mice

This document describes a classroom activity to model natural selection through simulating the survival of mice populations over multiple generations based on their fur color and environmental conditions. Students will use mouse cards representing genotypes and event cards for survival outcomes to track changes in populations of white and brown mice in either a white sand dune or brown forest floor environment over three generations. Observations and data on mouse and event cards as well as generation-by-generation population counts will be recorded in data tables. Students will then analyze the results to understand how natural selection can change populations over time based on environmental pressures.

Uploaded by

don't stalk me
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name:______________________________

Date:_________________
Period:_________
Nature at Work

Problem: How do species change over time?

Hypothesis:

Materials:
• •

• •

• •

Procedure:

Part 1- A White Sand Environment

1. Mix up mouse cards.


2. Begin by using the cards to model what might happen to a group of mice in an
environment of white sand dunes. Choose two mouse cards. Allele pairs WW and Ww
produce a white mouse. Allele pair ww produces a brown mouse. Record the color of
the mouse with a tally mark in the data table.
3. Choose an event card. An “S” card means the mouse survives. A “D” or a “P” card
means the mouse dies. A “C” cards means the mouse dies if its color contrasts with the
white sand dunes. (Only brown mice will die when a “C” card is drawn.) Record each
death with a tally mark in the data table.
4. If the mouse lives, put the two mouse cards in a “live mice” pile. If the mouse dies, put
the cards in a “dead mice” pile. Put the event card at the bottom of its pack.
5. Repeat steps 3 through 5 with the remaining mouse cards to study the first generation of
mice. Record your results.
6. Leave the dead mice cards untouched. Mix up the cards from the live mice pile. Mix up
the event cards.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 7 for the second generation. Then repeat steps 3 through 6 for the
third generation.

Part 2-A Forest Floor Environment

1. How would the data differ if the mice in this model lived on a dark brown forest floor?

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_

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2. Use the cards to test your prediction. Remember that a “C” card now means that any
mouse with white fur will die.

Observations:

Table 1: “Mouse” Cards


Number Label Meaning
25 W Dominant allele for white fur
25 w Recessive allele for brown fur

Table 2: “Event” Cards


Number Label Meaning
5 S Mouse survives.
1 D Disease kills mouse.
1 P Predator kills mice of all colors.
18 C Predator kills mice that contrast with the environment.

Data Table: Part 1


Type of Environment – White Sand Dunes
Generation White Mice Brown Mice Deaths
White Mice Brown Mice
1
2
3

Data Table: Part 2


Type of Environment – Brown Forest Floor
Generation White Mice Brown Mice Deaths
White Mice Brown Mice
1
2
3
Conclusion:

If the events in Part 1 occurred in nature, how would the group of mice change over time?

How did the results in Part 2 differ from those in Part 1?

How would it affect your model if you increased the number of “C” cards?

What would happen if you decreased the number of “C” cards?

What are some ways in which this investigation models natural selection?

What are some ways in which natural selection differs from this model?

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