Web Activities
UNIT 4: EVOLUTION
Chapter 11: Origins of Evolutionary Science
Page Number
Question
p. 510
Section 11.1 Questions
Making Connections
1. North American aboriginal cultures, like societies elsewhere in the
world, have stories about their people’s origin that have been
repeated orally from generation to generation to this day. Find out
and compare some creation stories from Aboriginal cultures in North
America, from ancient Sumer and Babylon, from China, Samoa, Persia,
and Japan or from other cultures of your choice. Consult print material
or the Web for textual and visual sources, or spiritual leaders as oral
sources. Discuss possible reasons for different societies having developed
different beliefs about the origins of life.
Common
Elements in Creation Myths
Common Elements in Creation Myths is an essay written by a high school
student that explores some of the common threads in creation stories
from around the world. The creation beliefs of some of the more prominent
historical cultures are featured.
Creation
Myths From Around the World
Creation Myths From Around the World provides links to Web sites that
describe the creation stories of major cultures worldwide. The site
was put together by a professor at a community college in Georgia.
Native
American Creation Stories
This site outlines some Native American Creation Stories including
those of the Cherokee and Iroquois cultures.
The
Maya Creation Myth
The Maya Creation Myth is described on this Web page, from a professor
at the University of Wisconsin.
African
Creation Stories
African Creation Stories is a series of links to sites about specific
cultures, as well as some articles that compare and contrast traditional
stories from the African continent. The site is administered by a
professor at The College of New Jersey.
p. 512
Try This Activity: Visit the Tyrell on the Web
The Royal Tyrell Museum in Alberta, is one of the world’s foremost
fossil research centres. At the museum’s Web site, you can
- take the virtual tour of the museum and see what fossils
are on display;
- check the “What’s Hot” feature and write
a short report on the latest fossil discoveries;
- submit a question to “Ask a Paleontologist”;
- find out the education and training needed to be a paleontologist
Since the publication of the Nelson Biology 12, the Royal
Tyrrell Museum's Web site has undergone a major redesign. Many
of the elements of this activity have been removed or changed. Please
visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum's Web site, but look at the "What's
Happening" and the "Sneak a Peek" features of the site.
For a tour of a virtual natural history museum, please visit the Hooper
Virtual Natural History Museum. This virtual museum is maintained
by the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre. For a virtual tour of a
natural history museum, the Paleobiology
Department of the Smithsonian has an in-depth look at their dinosaur
exhibit. To access the exhibit, click on the menu on the left side
of the screen.
p. 515
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: The Economics of Fossil
Study
Statement: Fossils should be donated to research institutions because
their investigations benefit everyone.
- In a group, research issues for this statement using print
and electronic resources.
Brazen
Fossil Hunters Are Cleaning Out U.S. Dinosaur Heritage
Brazen Fossil Hunters Are Cleaning Out U.S. Dinosaur Heritage says a
reporter for National Geographic. Worldwide, poachers are breaking
the law and stealing valuable bones.
US
Bill Could Give Fossil Hunters a Field Day
A 1996 news story from New Scientist reports that a US Bill
Could Give Fossil Hunters a Field Day. Although the bill is now old
news, the article presents the issue of whether private citizens have
the right to collect and hoard fossils.
Fossil
Facts
Fossil Facts is a well-written essay outlining the controversy of the
rights of amateurs to dig up fossils. Both sides of the argument are
presented, with the balance of the work leaning toward a pro-amateur
stance
p. 516
Section 11.2 questions
13. Fossils have been unearthed by many people who are not scientists.
Find articles in print and online about such finds and compare them
with scientific fieldwork. Prepare a class presentation of your comparison.
Be sure to take into account societal and technological differences.
Brazen
Fossil Hunters Are Cleaning Out U.S. Dinosaur Heritage
Brazen Fossil Hunters Are Cleaning Out U.S. Dinosaur Heritage says
a reporter for National Geographic. Worldwide, poachers are breaking
the law and stealing valuable bones.
US
Bill Could Give Fossil Hunters a Field Day
A 1996 news story from New Scientist reports that a US Bill
Could Give Fossil Hunters a Field Day. Although the bill is now old
news, the article presents the issue of whether private citizens have
the right to collect and hoard fossils.
Fossil
Facts
Fossil Facts is a well-written essay outlining the controversy of
the rights of amateurs to dig up fossils. Both sides of the argument
are presented, with the balance of the work leaning toward a pro-amateur
stance.
Fossils
Becoming Bones of Contention
Fossils Becoming Bones of Contention is an article addressing the
issue of fossil theft and improper amateur excavation. Some of the
telltale signs that amateurs removed fossils are mentioned.
The
Top Paleontologists of All Time
The Top Paleontologists of All Time is a rather extensive list of
fossil hunters and their major finds, with further links provided
for many entries. The focus is on professionals, but a few amateur
fossil hunters are also featured.
True
Stories of Amazing Archaeological Finds
True Stories of Amazing Archaeological Finds gives brief descriptions
of some of the more fantastic fossil finds by amateurs this century.
Fossil
News
Fossil News: the Journal of Avocational Paleontology is dedicated
to amateur fossil hunters. Their list of online articles features
fossil finds and field experiences, as well as general paleontology
information.
p. 516
Section 11.2 questions
14. Microfossils of the foraminifera, Neogloboquadrina pachyderma
are excellent recorders of relative ocean temperatures. As they
grow, these marine microorganisms build an outer shell that generally
coils to the right under warm water conditions and to the left under
cooler conditions.
a. How might such differences in coiling be of value to scientists
studying past climate changes or to oil companies in search of new
fuel deposits?
b. Search electronic sources for further examples of applications
of fossil study to significant present-day issues.
Tiny
Hidden Treasures
This illustrated essay on Tiny Hidden Treasures, or microfossils,
by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, includes a discussion
of the scientific and economic value of fossils of creatures such
as foraminiferans.
An
Introduction to Foraminifera
An Introduction to Foraminifera is a well-written article explaining
what a ‘foram’ is, and how their fossilized remains are
useful in a variety of contexts today. It is written by a scientist
at the University of California at Berkeley.
The
Search for Prehistoric Earthquakes
The Search for Prehistoric Earthquakes reveals how scientists have
used fossils to sleuth out the earthquakes of eras past. This article
was written by the United States Geological Survey.
The
Rad Page
The Rad Page, created by a university student in France, is about
Radiolarian paleontology - the study of the fossils of a group of
tiny, shelled invertebrates. The page includes a section on how the
fossils of these creatures have been used in mining exploration.
Environmental
Archeology Lab
The Environmental Archeology Lab at Umeå University in Sweden
uses a variety of fossils in their work on Nordic archeology.
p. 518
Section 11.3 questions
9. Some medical conditions, such as viral infections, are acquired,
while others such as Huntington’s disease are inherited. As acquired
disease results from environmental factors, which can be monitored and,
possibly, altered or eliminated. As inherited disease results in fundamental
physiological changes within the body that require very different medical
treatment. Research one of the following diseases using electronic and
print sources. Determine whether it is acquired, inherited, or a combination.
a. breast cancer
b. diabetes
c. cystic fibrosis
d. multiple sclerosis
e. Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
Causes
of Breast Cancer: What We Know Now
Causes of Breast Cancer: What We Know Now provides an excellent summary
of the contributing factors to breast cancer, addressing both genetic
and nongenetic facets to the disease. From the National Center for
Genome Resources.
Molecular
Genetics of Diabetes Mellitus
Molecular Genetics of Diabetes Mellitus is an article written by a
researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to explain his work.
It discusses the various genetic mechanisms that are linked to diabetes.
Insulin-Dependent
Diabetes
This introduction to Insulin-Dependent Diabetes includes a well-written
section on what causes the disease.
Facts
About Cystic Fibrosis
This pamphlet from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,
a division of the National Institutes of Health, describes what cystic
fibrosis is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why it is considered
a genetic disease.
An
Introduction to Multiple Sclerosis
Genetics of Multiple Sclerosis from HealthDiscovery.com answers such
questions as what is multiple sclerosis, can multiple sclerosis run
in families, and what genes are involved in multiple sclerosis. This
site also includes links to other sites about multiple sclerosis.
Duchenne’s
Muscular Dystrophy
The MEDLINEplus encyclopedia is the source of this fact sheet about
Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This page covers topics such as causes
of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, symptoms and treatment of the disease,
and possible complications associated with it.
Did You Know?
p. 521
Darwin’s Writings
“Darwin wrote his own accounts of his travels in The Voyage
of the Beagle, which can be read in print or online.”
The
Voyage of the Beagle
The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin, was one of the
best selling books of its time. It is reproduced here, chapter by
chapter, in big, easy-to-read type.
The
Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs
The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs, Darwin’s
first book, is reproduced here online in its entirety.
p. 529
Explore an Issue: Role Play: Science in Society
Question: Are science and scientists subject to societal influences?
Research the life of one of these individuals (DaVinci, Cuvier, Lyell,
Buffon, Lamarck, Kelvin, Erasmus Darwin, FitzRoy, Huxley, Wilberforce,
Temple, Wallace, Emma Darwin). You will role-play this person at the
gathering described in the Student Text. In the role-play, include a
summary of his or her ideas, the circumstances that most influenced
his or her life, and the ways in which he or she influenced others’
thinking, particularly Darwin’s. As you research print and electronic
sources, consider social beliefs and customs and their influence on
scientific thinking.
History
of Darwinism
From the BBC comes this excellent evolution Web site with articles,
including this one, about the History of Darwinism, which explains
the historical and cultural context in which the theory of evolution
was introduced and accepted.
Evolutionary
Thought
Evolutionary Thought, part of the University of California Museum
of Paleontology Web site, offers good write-ups of a series of historical
figures, including many of the individuals named in this question.
History
of Evolution
History of Evolution describes and lists links relating to the lives
and works of several key characters including Darwin, Wallace, Lamarck,
and Lyell.
Samuel
Wilberforce: On Darwin’s Origin of Species, 1860
Samuel Wilberforce: On Darwin’s Origin of Species,
1860 reproduces the thoughts of the famous bishop who debated evolution
publicly during Darwin’s time.
Robert
FitzRoy
Robert FitzRoy: this short biography of the Beagle’s ‘weatherman’
reveals something of his beliefs in the context of the Victorian society
in which he lived.
Darwin:
Reluctant Rebel
Darwin: Reluctant Rebel is a PBS Web page featuring a short, online
video about the age of Darwin that provides insight into the cultural
atmosphere of the time. A short discussion of the beliefs of Erasmus
Darwin, Emma Darwin, and Robert FitzRoy is included.
p. 533
Section 11.6 questions
10. Find out through print and electronic sources the many
contributions to science of Alfred Russell Wallace. Describe some of
the personal, social, and financial challenges he faced in conducting
his investigations.
The
Alfred Russel Wallace Page
The Alfred Russel Wallace Page is a comprehensive site about this
great scientist, including a biography, quotations, descriptions of
his work, and the text of some interviews, obituaries, and some other
off-the-wall tidbits.
Alfred
Russel Wallace
A short, informative biography of Alfred Russel Wallace is followed
by links to selected quotations and information on his Spice Islands
voyage, which has been recreated.
p. 541
Review
23. Today, many scientific expeditions are funded by such organizations
as the Royal Ontario Museum, Tyrrell Museum, Royal National Geographic
Society, Geological Survey of Canada and, in the United States, the
Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic Society. Find more information
about major projects one such organization is funding now and report
your findings to the class.
Tyrell
Museum
The Tyrell Museum is a major paleontology research center in Alberta.
This Web page describes the latest research being conducted by their
scientists, featuring stories on turtles, ichthyosaurs and more.
Royal
Canadian Geographic Society
The Royal Canadian Geographic Society is active in funding projects
that further the understanding of Canada’s geography. Several
of their major recent expeditions are described here.
The
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a major global sponsor of scientific
expeditions. Their Web site explains their commitment to this kind
of research, and provides exciting descriptions of some recent discoveries
that have resulted from their support.
Geological
Survey of Canada
The Geological Survey of Canada Science Pages provides a substantial
listing of topics relating to the organization’s activities.
A section on ‘Project Pages’ gives expedition-specific
information. Some ‘International Projects’ are also described.
The
Smithsonian Institute
Famous for their museums and educational activities, The Smithsonian
Institute is also very active in research. This page describes their
main activities, and includes a quarterly newsletter that reports
on the results of their work. Links to the right lead to further information
on the work being conducted by specific museums.
p. 541
Review
28. Darwin’s writings are rich in detail and explanation.
Read some of his work in print or online and prepare a report on your
assessment of the evidence and arguments he gives in support of his
theory.
Charles
Darwin’s Books
Several of Charles Darwin’s Books are reproduced online at this
site, including The Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin
of Species, and The Decent of Man.
