Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Evidence for Macroevolution: Using a Microbial Phylogenetics Laboratory to Teach Endosymbiosis. |
| Authors: |
Hoskinson, Joshua S. (AUTHOR) jhoskinson@mohave.edu, Wideman, Jeremy G. (AUTHOR) jeremy.wideman@asu.edu |
| Source: |
American Biology Teacher (University of California Press). Feb2025, Vol. 87 Issue 2, p93-102. 10p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*PEDAGOGICAL content knowledge, *MOLECULAR phylogeny, *RIBOSOMAL RNA, *ENDOSYMBIOSIS, *MACROEVOLUTION |
| Abstract: |
The teaching and learning of macroevolutionary processes have received limited attention in the evolution education literature despite their importance in evolution acceptance and evolution understanding. This necessitates the development of pedagogical content knowledge, including best practices in curriculum and instruction, on macroevolutionary processes that support student understanding and acceptance of macroevolution. One promising approach is to consider macroevolution at the microbiological level by teaching endosymbiotic theory while capitalizing on pre-existing pedagogical content knowledge of tree thinking and bioinformatics. Here, we present a computational laboratory activity that guides students through the construction of a phylogeny based on the universal small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. The resulting phylogenetic tree demonstrates that the photosynthetic organelles of the protist Paulinella chromatophora evolved independently of the chloroplasts of plants and algae. This not only addresses the need for pedagogical content knowledge in macroevolution in an interdisciplinary and integrative fashion, but also serves as a foundation for future research into the teaching of endosymbiosis. This activity is designed for a 15–20 student introductory/intermediate biology laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of American Biology Teacher (University of California Press) is the property of University of California Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
