In the previous unit, teachers learned that in a healthy ecosystem, the populations of species are stable and the interdependencies among the species are balanced. This unit focuses on why there is such a variety of species in Earth’s flora and fauna. | Lecture # 8 SCIENCE 1 ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN EDUCATION DIVERSITY, ADAPTATION, AND EVOLUTION DIVERSITY In the previous unit, Teachers learned that in a healthy ecosystem, the populations of species are stable and the interdependencies among the species are balanced. This unit focuses on why there is such a variety of species in Earth’s flora and fauna. The ecosystem behaves like any other system: any change in one part of the system affects others. If the change is substantial enough, the ecosystem can become unbalanced, resulting in drastic changes. In this unit, Student Teachers build on that knowledge and explore the importance of biodiversity to survival and adaptation. They are also introduced to the abstract world of DNA and biomolecules. They will begin to understand evolutionary processes on a molecular level. EVOLUTION The process of evolution is the underlying principle of biological science. It explains the unity and diversity of life and the adaptation of organisms to their environment. This course is not designed to deal with specific science topics in depth. However, it is important that by the end of this unit, Teachers develop a conceptual understanding of the basis of evolution: that is, the key to evolution is the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. They should recognize that organisms with favorable trait variations that develop randomly are more likely than others to survive and have offspring. Week-wise Plan In the first week, Teachers explore natural selection as the mechanism for evolution in concrete terms. They begin by identifying how the structures of organisms are related to their functions. They then use morphology and embryology to explain how to categorize organisms into different groups. They explore how adaptations—as a form of evolutionary change—happen; how adaptations are related to the environment; and how adaptations provide the basis for natural selection. They examine how structural and functional . | Lecture # 8 SCIENCE 1 ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN EDUCATION DIVERSITY, ADAPTATION, AND EVOLUTION DIVERSITY In the previous unit, Teachers learned that in a healthy ecosystem, the populations of species are stable and the interdependencies among the species are balanced. This unit focuses on why there is such a variety of species in Earth’s flora and fauna. The ecosystem behaves like any other system: any change in one part of the system affects others. If the change is substantial enough, the ecosystem can become unbalanced, resulting in drastic changes. In this unit, Student Teachers build on that knowledge and explore the importance of biodiversity to survival and adaptation. They are also introduced to the abstract world of DNA and biomolecules. They will begin to understand evolutionary processes on a molecular level. EVOLUTION The process of evolution is the underlying principle of biological science. It explains the unity and diversity of life and the adaptation of organisms to their
