Paul M. Jones
This is intended for use in the high school biology curriculum. It will begin with an introduction (or review) of viruses and how they interact with organisms. This portion of the unit should be used to reflect on prior learning of the characteristics of living things and the role of organisms within and ecosystem. This topic will introduce vocabulary on population studies and incorporate prior learning on ecosystems, biomes, and the interdependencies of organisms in a system. At this point students should know what a virus is and how it replicates.
Natural Selection is implemented as the main theme for the unit. A hands-on activity will be conducted to show how selection pressures shape the evolution of an organism. This activity will incorporate new vocabulary, and students should begin applying natural selection to real life situations, and move into genetic evolution and how it applies to behavior.
The medical implications of pathogens and how they are affected by evolution will be introduced. Students will investigate current topics of disease and determine what role evolution has played on the pathogen, victim, and treatment.
The unit will conclude with a look back at evidence for evolution and a comparison of microevolution to macroevolution. Interpretation of the fossil record as evidence for evolution over geologic time will precede an investigation of cultural evolution and the rate of change or current epidemics and disease. The prose of this unit will give a brief overview of viruses and natural selection.