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Lactase Persistence: Evidence for Selection

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Human Evolution
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Case Studies

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
22 Users
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View in Spanish

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.

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.

Student Learning Targets

  • Analyze and interpret data from figures.
  • Explain lactase persistence using evidence of selection.
     

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

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

Date Published 08.19.15
Date Updated 08.19.15

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

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Educator Guide (PDF) 550 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 577 KB
Educator Guide - Español (PDF) 363 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 381 KB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture

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Regulation of the Lactase Gene
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Interactive Assessment for Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture
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Spread of a Lactase-Persistence Allele
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Activity for Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture
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The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture
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Lactose Digestion in Infants
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Natural Selection for Lactose Tolerance
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Milk: How Sweet Is It?
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Pedigrees and the Inheritance of Lactose Intolerance
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Lactose Intolerance: Fact or Fiction
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Blood Glucose Data Analysis

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