Bottleneck Effect

Activity Summary
Evolution is described as a change in the genetic composition of a population from generation to generation. During this activity, students will examine how a population bottleneck can influence the occurrence of a trait in a population. Students will also learn how traits can reach fixation and what this means in evolutionary terms.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Demonstrate a population bottleneck effect
2. Describe how genetic drift could lead to evolution of species
3. Recognize the disadvantages of a small population size

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plan

Keywords
fixation, bottleneck effect, evolution, genetic drift

Last updated: 3/3/2015