Essential idea: 

There is overwhelming evidence for the evolution of life on Earth..

Nature of science: 

Looking for patterns, trends and discrepancies—there are common features in the bone structure of vertebrate limbs despite their varied use.

 

Understandings:

5.1.U1 Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change.

5.1.U2 The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.

5.1.U3 Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can cause evolution.

5.1.U4 Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in structure when there are differences in function.

5.1.U5 Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution.

5.1.U6 Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence.

 

Applications and skills:

5.1.A1 Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.

5.1.A2 Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles with different methods of locomotion.