A Quantitative Simulation of Coevolution with Mutation Using Playing Cards

Active-learning approaches can improve understanding of core biological concepts. We describe a revised hands-on simulation for teaching evolution by natural selection, which focuses on prey–predator coevolution in escape/pursuit speed. It illustrates how selection pressure on individual speed incre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American biology teacher 2019-02, Vol.81 (2), p.127-132
Main Authors: Hoagstrom, Christopher W., Xiang, Lin, Lewis-Rogers, Nicole, Connors, Patrice K., Sessions-Robinson, Ami, Mull, John F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active learning
Biological evolution
card game
Coevolution
INQUIRY & INVESTIGATION
math anxiety
Mutation
Natural selection
Playing cards
predation
Predator-prey simulation
Prey
Simulation
sorting process
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Summary:Active-learning approaches can improve understanding of core biological concepts. We describe a revised hands-on simulation for teaching evolution by natural selection, which focuses on prey–predator coevolution in escape/pursuit speed. It illustrates how selection pressure on individual speed increases average population speed through differential survival, while also reducing variation in speed among individuals. A simulated beneficial mutation helps differentiate the generation of individual traits from the process of natural selection and illustrates the effects of a beneficial mutation on immediate and subsequent generations. Overall, this exercise addresses several common misconceptions and allows students to collect and assess their own data, quantitatively. We report results from pre- and post-assessments in an introductory, undergraduate biology class, which indicate significantly improved understanding associated with the simulation.
ISSN:0002-7685
1938-4211
DOI:10.1525/abt.2019.81.2.127