Joseph Hasz

Period F
4/28/23

I. Title: Natural Selection Lab

II. Purpose: To explore the concepts of natural selection using an imitation bird model.

III. Procedure / Materials: N/A

IV. Scientific Background: Did you define the terms (not just a list of dictionary definitions – do not
use words you do not know)
Did you discuss the terms – how are they important to Darwin’s theory, how do they relate to
evolution and survival of species?
Did you use biological examples to clarify your discussion?
Natural selection, variation, adaptation, fitness, evolution, survival of the fittest, artificial selection, heritability,
competition, overproduction, decent with modifications – minimum list.
Direct quotations are not acceptable.
Natural selection is the idea that organisms with advantageous traits will survive more
effectively than those without the trait, resulting in that advantageous trait becoming more common in
the gene pool. Natural selection is a small part of evolution, or the net change in the gene pool of an
organism over periods of time. An organism’s relative fitness, or contribution to the gene pool of their
species, can help sway the tendencies of nature to favor a certain trait. A popular theory by Charles
Darwin also supports this, called descent with modification. This theory states that all living organisms
are the descendants of ancient ancestors that have accumulated adaptations, or changes due to
environmental factors. Heritability, a factor in genetics used for telling how much of a difference
genetics make in traits, is also impacted by evolution and natural selection.
Survival of the fittest is an idea that supports natural selection, as it states that those with better
traits that may be due to mutation, or any other facet of evolution will survive easier or better in the
world than those without the trait. This directly parallels the theory of natural selection, and the two are
usually used interchangeably. These adapted organisms are called variants, and their different traits
variations. Yet another important part of natural selection is the struggle to survive, as limited
resources and food make it harder to survive than if those resources were free and without competition.
This competition between species is one of the drives for natural selection, as it makes it harder for the
weaker organisms to survive. Overproduction also drives natural selection, as it creates too many
organisms for an ecosystem to handle.
Although many people talk about natural selection, not many talk about the other side of the
selection coin, artificial selection. Artificial selection is when people decide what traits are passed
down through different versions of breeding and selection. An example of artificial selection is
breeding and domestication of modern-day dogs.

V. Hypothesis: N/A

VI. Data and Calculations: Chart with proper % calculations

Trial 1:
 Joseph Hasz
Period F
4/28/23

Trial 2:

VII. Observations: N/A

VIII. Conclusion: This is where you (finally) interpret your data and observations. It is the most
important part of the report. The conclusion should be written in complete paragraphs with proper
spelling and correct punctuation. The conclusion consists of the following 3 parts.

A. Results: N/A

B. Discussion: Look at the data – who would survive? Why? Include both bird
survival and bean survival? Use numbers from the data table to support your conclusions.
From the data, it appears that the birds ate a combined three hundred ninety-three beans, out of
the original four hundred. Overall, the Spoon-beaks ate most of these, and would survive and thrive the
most out of the others. Their beak type would also be preferable, and no real changes will occur to
adapt it to the environment. The Forceps, on the other hand, did not eat nearly as many, but would still
survive, if not in the best conditions. Their beak type might evolve, change, and adapt to the
environment. The Phoo Phoo birds would have died out, as they did not get enough food to survive
enough. This species may not survive long enough to adapt, but if they do, they would be forced to
adapt to the environment and food around themselves.
The beans also would have a hard time surviving, as both the garbanzo beans and the Lima
beans are fully gone by the time that trial two is over. The kidney beans and peas survive, but barely,
and would not be able to survive another trial period.

C. Sources of Error: Do not say “count better”. What in the lab could be improved/changed to
make it more realistic/useful
This lab could be improved by increasing the number of birds in the trial periods, increasing the
original amount of beans that are scattered, and double-checking the results of the birds. First, the
number of birds being increased would result in more struggle to get beans, simulating the struggle to
survive seen in the wild. Secondly, increasing the amount of beans would allow more chances for birds
to find beans in the opening parts of the trials, and would allow for a smoother spread of beans in the
trial area. This would simulate how food is more spread out in the real world. Lastly, double-checking
the bird’s results would make sure that nothing ever goes past one hundred percent.
 Joseph Hasz
Period F
4/28/23
IX. Sources Cited: Textbook and at least 4 internet sources (paste URLs) Do not use Wikipedia, try
to avoid encyclopedia sites and .com sites. Good sites .edu, .gov etc.

Works Cited:
- Textbook
- https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolution-101/mechanisms-the-processes-of-evolution/natural-
selection/
- https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evolution/
- https://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/H259C/lectures/259Cevol.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559908/
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/inheritance/heritability/#:~:text=Heritability
%20is%20a%20measure%20of,schizophrenia%20and%20autism%20spectrum%20disorder.