Lactase Persistence: Evidence for Selection

Resource Type
Description
In this case study, students explore the story of the evolution of lactase persistence based on the short film Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture and makes connections between genotype, phenotype, and culture using graphical analysis skills.
Lactase persistence, the ability of some human adults to continue to produce the lactase enzyme and digest lactose, is an example of genetic change leading to recent human evolution. Students explore the evidence that demonstrates how mutations leading to lactase persistence have increased in frequency in different populations by natural selection over the last 10,000 years. The case study is designed for introductory biology classes, to engage students in analyzing and interpreting scientific data.
This four-part activity includes watching a film and pausing at specified points to analyze figures and answer questions about lactase persistence and evidence of selection, as well as a summary section to synthesize concepts.
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Student Learning Targets
- Analyze and interpret data from figures.
- Explain lactase persistence using evidence of selection.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
adaptation, allele, fitness, mutation, natural selection, trait, variant
Primary Literature
Evershed, Richard P., Sebastian Payne, Andrew G. Sherratt, Mark S. Copley, Jennifer Coolidge, Duska Urem-Kotsu, Kostas Kotsakis, et al. “Earliest Date for Milk Use in the Near East and Southeastern Europe Linked to Cattle Herding.” Nature 455 (2008): 528–531. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07180.
Tishkoff, Sarah A., Floyd A. Reed, Alessia Ranciaro, Benjamin F. Voight, Courtney C. Babbitt, Jesse S. Silverman, Kweli Powell, et al. “Convergent Adaptation of Human Lactase Persistence in Africa and Europe.” Nature Genetics 39 (2007): 31–40. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1946.
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS1-1, HS-LS3-1, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-3, HS-LS4-4; SEP4, SEP6
AP Biology (2019)
EVO-1.C, EVO-1.D, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.J, EVO-3.A, IST-1.I, IST-2.A, IST-4.B; SP1, SP2, SP6
IB Biology (2016)
3.1, 5.2, 10.2
AP Environmental Science (2020)
Topic(s): 2.6, 3.8, 5.3
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, EIN-1.C, EIN-2.C, SP2, SP4, SP5, SP6
Common Core (2010)
ELA.WHST.9-12.1
Math.S-ID.3
Vision and Change (2009)
CC1, CC3; DP1, DP2