Robert T. Pennock & Amy Lark
This lesson focuses on mutations as a source of genetic variability and what it means to say that mutations occur randomly at some rate. Students make predictions about and observe the effects of random mutations on the genomes of Avidians.
Key concepts
- Genetic variation
- Heredity
- Evolutionary change
Recommended use
Use this lesson early when you want students to confront what "random mutation" does and does not mean in an evolutionary context.
What students do
- predict how random mutation will affect genomes
- inspect outcomes of mutations in digital organisms
- distinguish randomness in mutation from non-random outcomes under selection