How do I model Natural Selection?

Question

How do I model an easy way to demonstrate natural selection? I have a biology experiment, and I have to create an experiment for it. I need a simple experiment, one that can be made with everyday materials (including those found in a biology classroom). For example, one idea I know about has to do with different colors of paper compared to the furs of animal. Please explain the procedure for the experiment, and the materials needed. Thanks.

Answer 1

Natural selection is nothing more than a process where one form becomes more numerous than other forms because physical processes or biological processes favor one form over another.

Here's one idea:

Camouflage and nocturnal behavior: color the inside of a shoe box as closely as you can to match something like an uncooked kidney bean. Then put an equal number of kidney beans and navy beans (which i think are white) into the box and shake it around to mix the beans. Then let people look into the box for a quick glimpse - enough time to scan the box and estimate the number of beans of each type, but not enough time to actually count them. Then ask the person to write down an estimate of the white beans and the colored beans without letting other people know what they saw. Show the box to maybe 10 people or more.

Next get one of those clear plastic report covers - one that is tinted - to simulate low light conditions. Add some more beans - maybe add twice as many dark beans as light ones. Place the tinted plastic over the box, use a couple of layers if necessary to make it hard to see. Then have the same people estimate the beans again.

What does this have to do with selection? If the beans were two species of prey and you were a predator, which species would likely be eaten more often? Would the prey species have a higher survival rate if they were nocturnal?

Answer 2

The simplest would be to get two or three plants with different growing conditions. Some plants like alkaline soil, some dry soil, some like wet (you get the idea). Place one of each (seed or plant) in each of the three conditions and see what lives and what dies (grows/no grow). Violla!!! Natural selection