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Evolution At Warp Speed

Photo of the "megaplate" from the activity

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteria
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
12 Users
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Description

This activity explores an image of the MEGA-Plate experiment, which serves as a phenomenon for learning about antibiotic resistance and evolution by natural selection.

Antibiotics are chemicals that kill bacteria or stop them from growing. But over time, populations of bacteria can evolve resistance to antibiotics, which means that the antibiotics will no longer work against them. To study how bacteria evolve resistance, scientists set up an experiment called the MEGA-Plate — a large bacterial growth plate divided into sections with different amounts of antibiotics. This image shows the MEGA-Plate from above after 11 days. E. coli bacteria appear as white on the black background.

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the image as a phenomenon. The “Student Handout” includes the image and background information.

Student Learning Targets

  • Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.
  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.
  • Explain how populations of bacteria evolve antibiotic resistance through the process of evolution by natural selection.
     

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period

Key Terms

antibiotic resistance, antibiotics, E. coli, medicine, MEGA-Plate, microbial evolution, pathogen, superbug

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 10.30.17
Date Updated 06.12.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-4; SEP1

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.D, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.J, EVO-3.A, SYI-3.D, IST-4.A; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

5.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.6, 2.7
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, SP2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1; DP1

Materials

Image (JPG) 563 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 463 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 319 KB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
Superbugs That Resist Antibiotics Can Evolve in 11 Days

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