The Power of Natural Selection: A Guided Investigation of Three Case Studies

William Beachly

doi:10.1525/abt.2010.72.2.10

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William Beachly^*

^*WILLIAM BEACHLY is Professor in Biology at Hastings College in Hasting, NE 68901; e-mail: wbeachly@hastings.edu.

Abstract

I describe a quantitative approach to three case studies in evolution that can be used to challenge college freshmen to explore the power of natural selection and ask questions that foster a deeper understanding of its operation and relevance. Hemochromatosis, the peppered moth, and hominid cranial capacity are investigated with a common algebraic formula that illustrates the application of mathematics in biology.

©2010 by National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press's Rights and Permissions Web site at www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.

Citation Download Citation

William Beachly "The Power of Natural Selection: A Guided Investigation of Three Case Studies," The American Biology Teacher 72(2), 104-109, (1 February 2010). https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2010.72.2.10

Published: 1 February 2010