5. Lesson 5: Genetic Drift

Sugat Dabholkar, Kevin Hall, Philip Woods, Connor Bain
Biology
45-60 min
Introductory High School Biology
v2
Make a Copy

Overview

Students experiment with a population of bacteria growing in an environment with sugar as an energy source. The population of bacteria consist of different types represented with different colors. Different types of bacteria have different number of flagella; however, in this model there is no selective advantage of having more number of flagella. Students explore this model to investigate the phenomenon of genetic drift. They discover that even though there is no selective advantage of having more or less flagella, eventually only one type survives in the population. This happens because of statistical selection, also referred to as genetic drift.  

Jump to Teacher Notes

Underlying Pages

Standards

Next Generation Science Standards
  •   Life Science
    • [HS-LS2] Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
    • [HS-LS4] Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
  •   NGSS Crosscutting Concept
    • Patterns
    • Systems
    • Stability and Change
  •   NGSS Practice
    • Analyzing Data
    • Using Models
    • Conducting Investigations
Computational Thinking in STEM
  •   Data Practices
    • Analyzing Data
    • Manipulating Data
    • Visualizing Data
  •   Modeling and Simulation Practices
    • Using Computational Models to Find and Test Solutions
    • Using Computational Models to Understand a Concept
  •   Computational Problem Solving Practices
    • Troubleshooting and Debugging
  •   Systems Thinking Practices
    • Investigating a Complex System as a Whole
    • Thinking in Levels
    • Understanding the Relationships within a System
Make a Copy