Evolution+of+Australian+Biota

HOMEWORK: Due Monday Page 309 Revision questions There are 15 questions to do. I suggest you start tonight (Q1-7), Friday (Q 8-9), Weekend (11-15). Question 10 will be done in class tomorrow. It is time to be completing revision summaries.

Outcome 3.5 Research one of the following animals or create a link to add your own animal. You should do individual research and note taking, but may work in your group to place information on Wiki. Don't forget to make it visually appealing and you could include a video. See page 288=289 BIF While you are completing this task, you should also be considering internal vs external fertilisation (3.2 and 3.3)

Red Kangaroo Platypus Emu Brush turkey Staghorn coral Southern gastric brooding frog Crocodile

Riversleigh**8.5 Evolution of Australian Biota** The very large southern landmass, Gondwana, persisted for some time, giving rise to an array of species that spread across it. When Gondwana broke up, it did so in stages but eventually the Australian continent was isolated from Antarctica and South America. The available evidence suggests that, as Gondwana was breaking up, a number of global climatic changes were also. These changes in environmental conditions impacted on Australian ecosystems and are reflected in the fossil record. As the biotic and abiotic features of ecosystems were altered, those organisms best adapted to these changes survived and passed on their genetic information to their offspring. The contribution of paleontology and the study of past environments is important to our understanding of how our present actions may affect our environment and the distribution of flora and fauna in the future. This module increases students’ understanding of the applications and uses of biology, implications for society and the environment and current issues, research and developments in biology.
 * Contextual Outline**


 * Excursion to Botanic Gardens and Australian Museum 20th August**

EaB 2.9 and 2.10 Evidence of the Evolution of Australia Flora and Fauna in Fossils Aim: 1. To gather information from secondary sources 2. To describe Australian fossils and where these fossils are found. 3. To explain how fossils contribute to the development of understanding about the evolution of species in Australia. 4. To identify similarities and differences between current and extinct Australian life forms.

BIF p267 Read background information Biology in Focus.

You will be working in groups to investigate important Australian fossil sites and the fossils found there. You will place your information on Wikispaces and present it to the class. You should include at least 3 fossils, from your site, their age and importance, including pictures and videos (if possible). You should also include similarities and differences between current and extinct Australian life forms. Groups: 1. Riversleigh (Qld) 2. Murgon (Qld) 3. Naracoorte (SA) 4. Lightning Ridge (NSW) 5. Alcoota (NT) 6. Bluff Downs and Winton (Qld)

Useful Sites to start: [] [] [] [] http://australianmuseum.net.au/Australias-extinct-animals/ [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

Cuddie Springs I have done a quick report on Cuddie Springs but you can do more!!!!!! Bluff Downs and Winton (Qld) Lightning Ridge (NSW) Murgon (Qld) Alcoota Naracoorte Riversleigh

EaB 2.11 The Huxley Wilberforce Debate on Darwin's theory of evolution.

The taunt and the reply;

Wilberforce supposedly asked Huxley if he was descended from an ape on his grandmother's side or his grandfather's side. To which Huxley was said to reply that he would rather be the offspring of two apes than a man who uses his intellignce to bring ridicule to a grave scientific discussion.

Other sources: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/education/index.html http://www.wellcometreeoflife.org/video/ http://www.creationthemovie.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/darwin/?tab=5&video=true