6492BL: Assignment 4

Module 3 – Biological diversity (30 marks)

Student Name: _____________________________

What you have to do

Before answering the questions you will need to work through the textbook. Revise Module 3
on Biological diversity. This assignment is compulsory AND assessable. Please hand write
your answers using your own words.
If you have any difficulties, please contact the Science section at TAFE Digital and ask for
help.

Assessment 4, LA023184, 6492BL, Edition 1 1

© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018
Module 3 – Biological diversity

Evidence for the theory of evolution (35 Marks)

Task outline
Your task is to conduct a secondary source investigation using the information you have
gathered.

PART A (16 marks)

You are to complete the following secondary source investigation
Your summary should include all elements of the task and should including references in an
appropriate format.
Your summary should be written to show a deep understanding of the inquiry question. Your
responses should be written in your own words. Use three or more sources formatted
appropriately.

Evolution – the Evidence

You should use secondary sourced data and information to present an argument for the
following inquiry question:
What is the evidence that supports the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection? 12

You should include the following in your discussion with examples of each

1a. Evidence for the Theory of Evolution, including:

i. biochemical evidence
ii. comparative anatomy
iii. comparative embryology
iv. biogeography
v. fossils, including techniques used to date fossils
vi. another piece of evidence e.g. molecular biology, direct observation
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© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018
Part A Question 1a continued

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1b. Discuss one modern day example or case study which demonstrates evolutionary
change. Examples may include: 4

• antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria (identify a specific bacterium and antibiotic) e.g.
MRSA. VRE, MDR-TB, CRE
• Peppered moth
• Darwin’s finches
• the cane toad in Australia
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Assessment 4, LA023184, 6492BL, Edition 1 3

© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018
Part B (14 marks)
You will use your investigation summary (Part A) to complete a series of short and extended
response questions (Part B) related to the topic as an open book assessment.

1. How does punctuated equilibrium differ from the process proposed by Darwin? 2
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2. Using your information, how does the Darwin/Wallace theory of evolution account for
differences/similarities in the example you chose in part A-Question two [for examples: ear
size in bilby and jackrabbit, feet in rhea and emu]. 3

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© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018
3. Explain how Darwin/Wallace's theory of evolution by natural selection and isolation
accounts for divergent evolution and convergent evolution.
a. Analyse an example of divergent evolution in the Galapagos, eg tortoises OR finches
found in the Galapagos Island and draw a flow chart to illustrate the process by which it
occurred. 3

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b. Analyse an example of convergent evolution in the Galapagos, e.g seals and sea lions
found in the Galapagos Islands and draw a flow chart to illustrate the process by which it
occurred. 3
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References: Use three or more sources formatted appropriately. 3

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New England Complex Systems Institute. (n.d.). Evidence for Evolution. [online] Available at: https://
necsi.edu/evidence-for-evolution#:~:text=Five%20types%20of%20evidence%20for.
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www.jcu.edu.au. (2023). City cane toads evolving. [online] Available at: https://www.jcu.edu.au/news/
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releases/2023/may/city-cane-toads-evolving#:~:text=Researchers%20say%20cane%20toads%20may
[Accessed 24 Aug. 2023].
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www.canetoadsinoz.com. (n.d.). Cane Toad Evolution. [online] Available at: https://
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www.canetoadsinoz.com/cane_toad_evolution.html.

Assessment 4, LA023184, 6492BL, Edition 1 5

© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018
Checklist
I have:
• written my name on the top of the assessment
• hand-written all answers in my own words
• used appropriate formatting of resources
• included three resources appropriately listed/ formatted

6 Assessment 4, LA023184, 6492BL, Edition 1

© New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission, 2018 (TAFE NSW), Archive version 1, February 2018