Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
Whale Evolution Internet Lesson
Directions: Answer the following questions by visiting the web site below.
http://www2.edc.org/weblabs/ExploringEvolution/evolution.swf
Introduction
1)
Define EVOLUTION. _______________________________________________________________________________________
click NEXT
2)
What group of life are whales placed within? _____________________________________________________________________
3)
What are the two mysteries you will try and solve?
a.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
b.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
click NEXT
4)
Simply copy each of the 3 hypotheses. At the end, you will decide which hypothesis is best.
a.
Hypothesis 1: Whales evolved from _________________________________________________________________________
b.
Hypothesis 2: Whales evolved from the ______________________________________________________________________
c.
Hypothesis 3: Whales evolved from a _______________________________________________________________________
click NEXT and then click DNA EVIDENCE
5)
How can we tell from DNA if two organisms are related? ___________________________________________________________
6)
Define DNA CODING. ______________________________________________________________________________________
7)
What does it mean when 2 different animals have similar DNA coding? ________________________________________________
click PERISSODACTYL DNA
8)
Define PERISSODACTYL. ___________________________________________________________________________________
9)
Give three examples of modern perissodactyls.
a.
_________________________
b. _________________________
c. _________________________
Click the EXTINCT PERISSODACTYLS
10) When did perissodactyls first arise? _____________________________________________________________________________
11) What is special about Baluchitherium? __________________________________________________________________________
Click BALUCHITHERIUM
12) Examine the picture. Baluchitherium is about _______________ times taller than humans.
Return to the DNA page & click ARTIODACTYL DNA
13) Define ARTIODACTYLS. ___________________________________________________________________________________
14) What do ungulates have on their feet? ___________________________________________________________________________
15) Give three examples of modern artiodactyls.
a.
_________________________
b. _________________________
c. _________________________
Return to the DNA page & click WHALE DNA
16) What are four characteristics of all mammals?
a.
____________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________
b.
____________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________
17) What does it mean to be warm-blooded?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Return to the DNA page & click COMPARE DNA.
(If “Compare DNA” does not appear, refresh your browser and re-click on perissodactyl DNA, artiodactyl DNA, and whale DNA.)
18) Drag the perissodactyl DNA to the left. Drag the whale DNA to the middle. Drag the artiodactyl DNA to the right.
Which looks most like whale DNA? ____________
19) What do you think the answer to #18 means? _____________________________________________________________________
Close the DNA screen. Click EXPLORE (the magnifying glass) and then click FOSSIL EVIDENCE.
20) Click “sedimentary rock” to answer the two questions below.
a.
What is sediment made from? __________________________________________________________________________
b.
What is a horizontal layer of sedimentary rock called? ______________________________________________________
21) State the Law of Superposition. ________________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Click around the page until you find the 5 hidden fossils. Once you find them, drag the bones to the right side of the screen.
22) Fill in the table below from the information provided with the 5 fossils discovered.
Cetotherium
Basilosaurus
Ambulocetus
Pakicetus
Mesonychid
Age of fossil in
millions of years
23) Click on the five fossils you found to answer the questions below.
a.
Which two fossils have ear bones similar to whales today? __________________________
__________________________
b.
Which whale might have lived on land and in water? ___________________________________________________________
c.
Why do scientists believe Basilosaurus only lived in water? ______________________________________________________
d.
Which fossil has hind legs and flippers for swimming? __________________________________________________________
click NEW DISCOVERY
(If “New Discovery” did not appear, refresh your browser and re-click to find the five fossils.)
24) What was discovered for the 1st time in 2001? ____________________________________________________________________
25) The bones discovered in 2001 resemble the bones of which?
Perissodactyl
or
Artiodactyls
26) What do you think the answer to #25 means? _____________________________________________________________________
Close NEW DISCOVERY and click EXPLORE (magnifying glass) and then COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
27) Define ANATOMY. ________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28) Why do mammals share common physical traits? _________________________________________________________________
Move your mouse over the picture of the whale. Click on the whale’s pelvis.
29) What do modern whales have that makes scientists believe their ancestors lived on land?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30) A human appendix and the leg bones of a snake are examples of ___________________________ parts.
31) Define VESTIGIAL body parts. _______________________________________________________________________________
Close the Whale Hip screen and click SOLVE (check mark)
32) From the information you read throughout this web site, which hypothesis best explains the evolution of modern whales? Be sure to
examine your previous answers. This question will be graded for accuracy.
Hypothesis 1
Hypothesis 2
Hypothesis 3