Diet and the Evolution of Salivary Amylase

This activity engages students in analyzing authentic scientific data that explore the effects of different diets on the evolution of an enzyme that breaks down starch.

Students analyze data on the number of copies of the salivary amylase (AMY1) gene among different human populations. They then examine the connection between production of salivary amylase, which is the enzyme in saliva that digests starch, and dietary starch consumption. This activity involves analyzing and graphing research data, using correlation and other statistical tests, and making evidence-based claims by defining uncertainty.

Students should have some prior experience with constructing graphs and performing statistical calculations (i.e., mean, standard deviation, and confidence intervals). The activity includes an optional extension for students familiar with correlation coefficients and t-tests.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.