I need some ideas for a high school level experiment having to do with evolution.?

Question

Just some ideas to work with or maybe some tips. I'd like to show how coevolution works. Can any one help me??

Answer 1

Step 1: Get ahold of some tuberculosis bacteria.

(Just kidding.)

It would be very very difficult to show evolution in an *experiment* because it takes hundreds or thousands of generations, which even with a super-fast reproducing species like bacteria, can take *years*.

However, you might be able to do something with something like a mold or a fungus and some antifungal agent that killed some, but not all the fungus. You might be able to demonstrate some resistance, within a few days, to the anti-fungal agent. Basically, the fungus that was already vulnerable to the anti-fungal, would be eliminated quickly, leaving the more resistent strains.

A better bet is *observation*. I would recommend doing some research about flowers and polinating insects (like butterflies) in your area. Many insects and flowers evolve together to where the insect has equipment perfectly suited for a specific plant. E.g. a butterfly with a proboscis (nose) that is the perfect length for getting nectar out of certain flowers.

Another idea might be researching pedigrees for domesticated animals (cocker spaniels, race horses, dairy goats), or plants (orchids, roses, champion pumpkins) and look for trends that get passed down and reinforced in a certain breedlines. Breeders tend to keep really good records going back generations. Breeding is nothing more than evolution with humans doing the "selection".

Or for fun, you can look at other evolving artifacts, like cars or computers. E.g. the co-evolution of tires and cars. Or guitar strings and neck truss-rods.

Hey Stephen Jay Gould (who loved baseball) wrote an absolutely fascinating essay about the co-evolution in baseball over the years between pitchers and hitters (the Decline of the .400 Hitter in Baseball). (It's found in the book "Full House").

My point is that many things can be examples of co-evolution ... it doesn't have to be biological.

Good luck!

Answer 2

There are plenty of avenues for researching the subject, but the only real experiments that could be done within a reasonable length of time would be those involving bacteria. Even these types of experiments would be beyond the scope of most high school students though.

Answer 3

to initiate you won't be in a position to have an smart communique with religious human beings while arguing approximately their faith. yet one occasion is the island of latest Zealand. i'm no longer an authority yet once you care which you look to you need to do a google seek on the species of animals that basically exist in new Zealand. The kiwi is nearly a chicken yet no longer and that's because of the fact it developed from a chicken yet had no reason to fly so it developed right into a extraordinary chicken like animal that basically walks now. additionally better half and youngsters canines and cats the two developed from wild species. Wolves interior the case of canines and the wild cat interior the case of cats. the two developed and adapted to be human companions. the main obtrusive info is human beings. we are constantly evolving and in the event that they do no longer think of so than why did no longer Adam and evecontinual automobiles or fly airplanes. the situation is you grants each and every of the info you choose and that they gained't care.

Answer 4

Research the Galapagos Islands which are off the coast of Ecuador....that is where the whole evolutionary theory originated. Try Darwinism....

Answer 5

A plant and it's co-evolutionary symbiotic, root fungus. Nitrogen fixation for nutrients. How they co-evolved down the ages. Cheap and easy to research.

Answer 6

Try using different stimuli to make mold on something.... or see if bananas rot faster when in groups or alone.... ummm I dunno think of something fun and interesting ^.^ good luck

Answer 7

make a video!!! they are the best!