In this lab we will explore the scientific theory of evolution by recognizing and explaining ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors contribute to evolution by natural selection and diversity of organisms.

Objectives: In this lab, you will be able to: identify different types of evolutionary adaptations such as camouflage, mimicry, body shape, and teeth/beak types explain ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors contribute to evolution by natural selection and diversity simulate the effects of natural selection and genetic variation under specific environmental conditions

The modern evolutionary synthesis leaves unresolved some of the most fundamental, long-standing questions in evolutionary biology: What is the role of sex in evolution? How does complex adaptation evolve? How can selection operate effectively on genetic interactions? More recently, the molecular biology and genomics revolutions have raised a host of critical new questions, through empirical findings that the modern synthesis fails to explain: for example, the discovery of de novo genes; the immense constructive role of transposable elements in evolution; genetic variance and biochemical activity that go far beyond what traditional natural selection can maintain; perplexing cases of molecular parallelism; and more.