Human Adaptations
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LTLT: I can develop,
communicate, and justify an evidence-based explanation for the evolution of
organisms and environments by analyzing and interpreting data from the fossil
record.
LT: I can
describe ways in which humans have evolved.
Criteria for Success:
I can
identify specific human adaptations
I can
demonstrate how the human hand has adapted to it the actions it performs.
Agenda
Warm
up
Evolution
is…
Humans
Adaptations Lab
Lab Questions
Clean
up
Warm up:
Fossil
evidence tells us that humans have evolved from monkeys.
1.
What are some differences between humans and other
animals?
2.
What are some similarities that both humans and animals
share?
Review
LTLT, LT’s & C.S.
Evolution
is…
Q: What
is the theory of evolution?
Hint: this was from yesterday, look in
your journals….
Evolution is:
*Evolution is the changing
of organism, to more complex creatures, over time, in relation to their
environment.
*One
noticeable way that humans have changed or evolved from our ancient ancestors,
is by developing thumbs.
our thumbs are what separate us from the monkeys.
*Today
you’ll be doing a lab about human adaptations, or more specifically, what life
would be like without your
thumbs.
**Extra
challenge:
-goggles to simulate blindness
-earplugs to simulate deafness
Human Adaptations Lab
*You
can work either individually, or with pairs.
Complete
the 16 lab tasks.
1.
First WITH THUMBS
2.
Second: WITHOUT THUMBS
3.
Answer the questions.
Clear
off the lab tables before you start.
Lab Questions
Human Adaptations Lab
First: To be completed WITH thumbs. Take a stopwatch, time yourself.
Second: To be completed WITHOUT thumbs. Take a stopwatch,
time yourself.
Tasks:
1.
Pick up a single piece of construction paper,
from the supply counter, and bring it back to your
lab table
2.
Pick up a pen or pencil from your lab table.
3.
Sharpen it.
4.
Use the sharpened pencil to write your name on
the piece of paper. Set it aside for the moment.
5.
Turn the pages in your journal, and make sure
that they are all dated.
6.
Get two cups from the supply counter.
7.
Turn on a water faucet, and fill up one of the
cups.
8.
Bring the cup back to your lab table, and
carefully transfer 5 spoonfuls of water from one cup to
another.
9.
Tear off 2 pieces of paper towel.
10. Using the water from your
cups, wet one paper towel, and wash your lab table.
11. Using
the other paper towel, dry the lab table.
12. Pull
out your construction paper. Cut a circle out of the paper using scissors.
13. Pick
up all the scraps from step 12, and throw them into the recycling bin.
14. Tear off a piece of paper from
the table dispenser.
14. Tape
the construction paper circle onto the classroom door.
15. Get
5 paper clips from the supply counter, and scatter them at your table.
16. Pick up the paper clips with
tweezers, and put them into one of your cups.
17. Untie
your shoelaces, if you have them. If not, then skip to step 19.
18. Tie your shoelaces, or tie a
knot in a piece of string if you don’t have shoelaces.
Name:
___________________________ Date__________________ Class Period_____________
Introduction:
Living things have bodies that are adapted for the places they live and the
things they do.
Fish have gills so
that they can remove oxygen that is dissolved in water. Most plants have
green
leaves which contain chlorophyll so
that they can make food. Jellyfish have stinging
cells to capture prey. Birds have hollow
spongy bones so that they will be light enough to fly.
Arctic
animals have layers of fat and thick coats of
fur to keep warm in the frigid Arctic
climate. There are hundreds of
examples of ways that organisms are adapted for a successful
lifestyle.
Humans,
too, are adapted for the things they do. One of our adaptations is our hand.
Humans, as
well as monkeys, gorillas, and other primates,
have a hand that can grasp objects.
We are able to
grasp objects because of our opposable
thumb.
In this lab exercise, you will perform several common actions.
Then you will change your hand so
that it resembles that of a non-primate
animal. You will determine whether or not you can
successfully perform the same
actions. This will demonstrate how the human hand is adapted for the
actions it
performs. You will work with a partner to do this exercise.
Procedure:
1.
Complete each task as you normally
would and have your partner time how long it takes you
to do each one. Switch
back and forth. Record your time in the chart for each task. (each person
needs
to fill out a data table)
2. Repeat the task again, but this time, DON”T USE YOUR THUMBS!
Try to complete each
task. Be careful
not to use your thumbs!!! Have your partner record on your data table how
long it takes to do each task with your thumb taped.
3. Switch and time your partner.
Tasks: (To be completed first WITH thumbs. Second, WITHOUT thumbs)
Data table- Time It
Took To Perform Various Tasks
Human
Adaptations Lab Questions
1.What was it like when you were not allowed
to use your thumbs? How did you have to
change your usual technique in order
to complete these tasks?
2. How do you think organisms without opposable thumbs would
carry out these tasks on
a regular basis? Why or why not?
3. Explain why dog and cat paws
are not adapted for doing the six actions you tested.
4. What are cat and dog paws
adapted for?
5. Describe how your hand is
adapted for doing the actions you tested.
6. You have an
opposable thumb. Explain what this means.
7. Do you think opposable thumbs
have helped to make humans such a successful
species on earth? Why or why not?
8. What are some other examples of human adaptations?
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