Environmental Phenotype Investigation

Shaunna·

Biology

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At a Glance

SubjectBiology

Original Prompt

Create a digital assignment for AP Biology students focused on topics 5.5 environmental effects on phenotype. I would like them to have some choice in an appropriate organism to focus on (one that has information available online related to the topics) and I want them to have to do some research questions and some more AP style questions related to real world applicable topics and predictions. I want this to take about 30-40 minutes to complete and have the assignment Google classroom friendly.

This resource explores the concept of phenotypic plasticity, examining how Environmental factors influence the expression of traits in various organisms. Students will engage in research to analyze how the same genotype can produce different phenotypes based on environmental conditions. Examples include the effect of soil pH on Hydrangea flower color, temperature and season on Arctic Fox coat color, and changes in Daphnia due to predator presence. The resource includes guided inquiry research questions, a data collection framework, and a Claims-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) argumentation framework to encourage critical thinking. Additionally, students will hypothesize about potential changes in phenotypic expression due to significant environmental shifts, reflecting on their research process and its connection to ecological interactions.