Natural Selection: Genetic Diversity Reading and Worksheet

This is the perfect genetic diversity reading to introduce natural selection (NGSS MS-LS4-4). Also effective for sexual reproduction units (NGSS MS-LS3-2).

This resource includes:

• 2-page article about variation within species
• 10-question analysis section

The analysis includes:

• How variations within a species help the species as a whole survive
• Students generating their own examples of variation within a species
• Complete of a short claims/evidence/reasoning section related to genetic variation

Class discussion should focus on how every species has variation within individuals, and this helps the population as a whole when there are changes or pressures within the environment.

This reading is targeted for a middle school level student and aims to simplify the idea that even organisms that look alike are actually genetically different. Many teachers find this a difficult concept for middle-schoolers, so we brought the ideas of diversity within a species and the importance of genetic diversity down to a basic understanding in this reading.

Teacher Notes:

• ANSWER KEY INCLUDED.
• Please note: This genetic diversity reading is not editable.
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Related Standards:

• NGSS MS-LS3-2: Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
• NGSS MS-LS4-4: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.