23 Feb Write a short summary in your own words about each of these animals. The first four are whale ancestors, and the last two are modern whales. Note any major changes or adaptations, or interes
biology exercise and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
MARINE BIODIVERSITY ACTIVITY WORKSHEET?WHALE EVOLUTION
Instructions: Complete parts one, two, three, and four to demonstrate your knowledge on how fossil evidence relates to the relationships of whale ancestors and their descendants from a Darwinian perspective and how a creationist might respond to such a perspective. You will submit your completed worksheet. Be sure to include all four parts with your submission.
(30 POINTS POSSIBLE)
INTRODUCTION
The evolution of whales may seem like a mystery. How did a large mammal come to live entirely in water, while other mammals evolved on land? Science holds the key to these questions. The discovery of fossils with transitional features demonstrates how whales transformed from land animals to ocean dwellers.
HYPOTHESIS
How does fossil evidence determine the relationships of whale ancestors and their descendants?
PART ONE (12 POINTS, 2 POINTS EACH)
Write a short summary in your own words about each of these animals. The first four are whale ancestors, and the last two are modern whales. Note any major changes or adaptations, or interesting information from the fossil record. Each summary should be three to five sentences. You may research this information using reliable journals, books, or websites. You can review reliable sources if needed. Be sure to note any sources you use.
Pakicetus
Ambulocetus
Rodhocetus
Dorudon
Odontocetes
Mysticetes
PART TWO (6 POINTS)
Create a timeline to show when each of these animals lived. You may create this by hand and submit a scanned or photographed copy, or you may use your choice of software to create it. All work must be original and show your name on it.
PART THREE (12 POINTS, 2 POINTS EACH)
Answer the conclusion questions below.
What types of skeletal changes occurred during whale evolution?
What change (or transition) in habitat did whales ancestors make?
Which fossil organism in whale evolution do you think was the first to live mostly in water? Explain your claim with evidence and reasoning.
Explain the changes in the skeletons during the transition in habitat according to the theory of natural selection.
What are the similarities and differences between the whale fossils?
How does fossil evidence determine the relationships of whale ancestors and their descendants?
PART FOUR (6 POINTS)
Write a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) answering the following questions: How might a creationist approach the similarities and differences found between whale species? How would a view of God as creator of the animal kingdom impact how we see the diversity of life on our planet?
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST:
Part One: Three- to five-sentence summary included for each of the six animals
Summaries are in my own words
Summaries include information about adaptations when appropriate
Part Two: Timeline shows accurate dates and is labeled with all six animals
Timeline is my own original work
Part Three: Conclusion questions are answered in complete sentences and my own words
Part Four: 5-7 sentences examining the differences in perspectives on biodiversity
Requirements:
