Dogs and more dogs assignment - LE period 6

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January 10th, 2007 · 53 Comments
LE - Period 6

Okay guys, here is the place for your reflection on the movie.

As we discussed in class, you assignment is to write a one- or two- paragraph reflection on the movie that answers the question: “What connections do you see between genetics and evolution?”

Part of your reflection could be asking questions that you have as well.

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53 responses so far ↓

1 ManiacLeprechaun // Jan 10, 2007 at 6:17 pm

The connection that I see between genetics and evolution is mainly that an organism’s genes are passed on to their offspring, with small alterations, which become larger and larger over a long course of time, causing an overall change in the species if it continues to happen to an increasing population of the species. For example, a male wolf has the genes to be able to be able to smell prey better then most. And a female wolf has the genes for longer legs and quicker turning ability. The two mate, and pass their genes for those good traits onto the pup that they have together. The pup now possesses the genes to smell prey better, and turn quicker. The pup then mates with another wolf that has the genes for quick running. Now their pup possesses a keen sense of smell, god turning, and more speed. This process continues for hundreds of generations, and eventually, you come out with a wolf completely different from the original two parents, but with genes that relate to them, and have helped it evolve to survive. The genes were changed and passed down, but they are still slightly the same as the original parents, proving that genes speed evolution on quite nicely.
2 White Ivy // Jan 10, 2007 at 7:19 pm

This comment is for maniacleprechaun. (Obviously.)
At first I was having trouble understanding the question, and what I would write as a reflection. When I read yours, I could see the light! Your reflection helped me to clearly see the goal of our assignment. Good job!
3 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 10, 2007 at 7:59 pm

This comment is for ManiacLeprechaun.

I really liked reading your article because it gave me a good idea of what I should write. Also when I read you piece after reading mine I saw that I had forgotten some things that I had wanted to include. You made a lot of good points.
As usual good work!! Keep it up!
4 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 10, 2007 at 8:01 pm

The Connection Between Evolution and Genetics

Genetics is the process by which you inherit certain traits from your parents. Evolution is gradual change of a species over a period of time. A species changes because of their genes. When an organism breeds with another you have traits that give the organism its phenotype. Genetics determines the evolving of a species.

Genetics and Evolution are connected because you can breed two dogs for a certain gene, like long legs, and then you keep breeding long legged dogs and then you eventually get a breed that has long eyes. That species is evolving. Last year when we learned about Evolution, I remember talking about Natural Selection and how only the best of a breed survived. When you breed an animal you are choosing the trait that you want and eliminating the unwanted trait. In the show-dog world, having a perfect dog is capital and they way you do that is by narrowing the gene pool. When you narrow a gene pool, you are changing that species. Genetics and the narrowing of a gene pool change the species and cause Evolution. You need genetics for evolving to happen.
5 Earthchild // Jan 11, 2007 at 12:31 am

I enjoyed the movie. Until this movie I’d never known that much about dogs. All I knew was that they were descendents of wolves and that they somehow changed to create several different breeds. This movie told me that in theory wolves ended up being with us because of all of the food. They stuck around for the reason that they wanted more easy food they became more tame and sucked up to us to get what they want. I still wonder what made dogs change into so many different looking animals when wolves only have a few breeds.
Where were the genetics to change this found? How did these animals EXACTLY evolve into the standards that the job they had required. Adaptations probably generated from more than just that.
6 The coolest kid // Jan 11, 2007 at 10:59 am

Before we saw the movie I didn’t know that dogs came from wolfs. And now I know that evolution and genetics are the same. Genetics make the animals and the animals evolve over time. Some animals change in shape, size, color and speed. And that is how evolution and genetics and the same.
7 Alphabetsoup // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:01 pm

I think Genetics and Evolution are similar because a species changes because of its gene which is caused by evolution. Wolves became different types of dogs by a change of gene. If you want a fast dog you would have to give the animal the right care and breed it with another dog that has been brought up to be fast. Then the offspring gets the two genes of running fast.
If the offspring breeds with a dog that has a good sense of smell their offspring will be fast runners and have a good sense of smell. To evolve you need genes, and evolving genes make new species.
8 Alphabetsoup // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:05 pm

This comment is for ManaicLeprechaun.
When i first started i didnt know what to right and i read yours and it gave me ideas as what to write. I liked how you gave examples. Good Job!
9 Alphabetsoup // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:09 pm

This comment is for DARLiNGPiNK!

I liked how you gave an intro. on what you were going to write about. Your article gave me ideas on how to word my article. Good Job!!
10 lola // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:56 pm

The Connection Between Genetics and Evolution:

Genetics and evolution are different subjects, but these two topics do have some similarities. For intance: one way a speices can evolve is if traits are passed from parent to child over each generation. Over time each generation passes traits to their offspring, and through each generation changes (or mutations) can happen.

For example: in the dog movie we saw in class, I learned that hunters would use dogs to catch rabbits and other animals for food. If one dog was faster than all the rest, and always caught the rabbit for the hunter, he would be rewarded with food. This well fed dog will find it easier to mate with another compared to the other hunting dogs. Over time, the gene for this “dogs fastness” will be passed on to the offspring. Generation over generation the dogs will eventually foem better bodies for running.
11 lola // Jan 11, 2007 at 4:59 pm

This comment is for Alpabet Soup: I coldn’t exactly understand your first sentence. It was very confusing. Though your examples supporying what you thought were very good and informative. OVerall, great job!
12 lola // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:03 pm

This comment is for Earth Child. Did you know that your reflecion doesn’t answer the question? I’m glad that you liked the movie and learned much from it because I did too.But next time we post something on the blog, read the directions better to make sure that you know wht you’re writing about.
13 White Ivy // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:06 pm

This comment is for DARLiNGPiNK!. I liked how in the beginning you stated what both terms mean separatly before combining them. Like always, you used a great choice of words to get your point across.
14 lola // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:06 pm

This comment is for Maniac Lepercaun, your reflection sounded like you really knew what you were talking about. (You sounded very smart!) I like that you showed examples, that worked with why you thought genetics and evolution are similar. You did a really good job!
15 White Ivy // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:07 pm

–Sorry, i got cut off–…..GREAT JOB DARLiNGPiNK!
16 White Ivy // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:09 pm

This comment is for lola-you really understand what you’re talking about! Your reflection was very easy to read and understand. I enjoyed reading it!!!!!!!! You did a swell job!
17 White Ivy // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:48 pm

By watching the Nova show about dogs, we learned that genetics and evolution are connected. Genetics are how traits get passed down from generation to generation. Evolution gets mixed with the traits that are being passed down in a species, and this is how different species become evolved.
For example, in the video, we watched how dogs like Salutis became evolved. When dogs first started hunting, they needed to be able to chase their food. Only the fastest would recieve what they want. After generations, these dogs started to have slicker coats, larger lungs, and thinner waists to make it easier to run. If a dog with large lungs continues to be breed with a dog that has a sleek coat, the outcome of their generations will start to have both of these traits within their genes. Slight changes or mutations in a species will become bigger and more noticable as time goes on and will end up creating a newly evolved species. I don’t think I can put all of this info. into words very clearly and understandable, but I tried my best.
18 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 11, 2007 at 5:48 pm

This comment is for lola.

I really like the example you used in your article. I had forgotten all about that part in the movie. You definately were watching the movie because you described it in detail.
You also did a good job explaining how Genetics and Evolution are connected. It was to the point, which is a good thing.

As always, GOOD JOB!!
19 ManiacLeprechaun // Jan 11, 2007 at 6:37 pm

This comment is for White Ivy
Well done. Very well written and use of examples was timed just right. Nice details, and lots of helpful information. Well done.
20 ManiacLeprechaun // Jan 11, 2007 at 6:43 pm

This comment is for lola.
Nice job. You had a nice example that supported your theory, and you made sure that we knew that genetics are two different things, but you still showed that they link together. A well written assignment.
21 ManiacLeprechaun // Jan 11, 2007 at 6:46 pm

This comment is for the coolest kid.
I think that you could have made this longer. You also should put in an example from the movie that we watched. But you did state that they were connected, although you could have given more detail as to why they are connected.
22 ManiacLeprechaun // Jan 11, 2007 at 6:49 pm

I hope you don’t mind, but I am trying out all of the smiley codes.
:X 0:) :$ >:0
23 White Ivy // Jan 11, 2007 at 7:19 pm

We don’t mind. Right guys?
24 Gia Beth // Jan 11, 2007 at 7:36 pm

Not at all.
25 Gia Beth // Jan 11, 2007 at 7:58 pm

*ManiacLeprechaun* - I think you did a fantasticly good job on answering the question. What you said was very inteligent and you very well used the word posessed; which is a mighty cool word! Great Job!!!
26 rorofosho // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:23 pm

we watched that dog movie (the name has slipped my mind) and I’ve learned that evolution and genetics are actually, very closley related. I know this because in order for the phenotype of an animal (in this case, wolf) to change, the genotype needs to change.but this takes a long time, and is slow moving. The definition of evolution is a change over a long period of time. If that didn’t makes sense, you can sum it up by saying- the dog has EVOLVED from the wolf, by slight changes in the genes over a very long period of time
27 rorofosho // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:24 pm

maniaclepercauhn- your report is very professional and explains everything very well, you seem like you know what your saying and have no advice for you to improve your work
28 rorofosho // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:25 pm

white ivy- you did a good job, and i like that you used example from the movie
29 rorofosho // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:27 pm

DARLiNGPiNK!-
your report was great and everything was clear, and i could understand it
30 green // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:35 pm

without genes, I dont think evolution would be possible. They play a big role on changing animals to adapt to new enviorments. When wolves were adopted by humans, they adapted to the spacific tasks that humans used them for. For example, when a human needed wolves to catch rodents for them, over time wolves became small and quick so they could go into holes and catch rats. When humans needed wolves to hunt for them they became built for speed with long legs and stamina. They all evolved that way because of their genes and how they can adapt.
31 Gia Beth // Jan 11, 2007 at 8:38 pm

Q: “What connections do you see between genetics and evolution?”
A: The biggest connection I see between genetics and evolution is the way the DNA pattern is changed for adaptation. The makeup of the DNA slowly starts to change over time to adapt to changes that take place in the surrounding environment. Many species change over large amounts of time to adapt to what is changing in the world around them. Some dogs, like the ones in the movie, may have been bred to have a specific look or trait that they needed; or it may have just happened naturally.
The length of a species’ legs may change over a great amount of time if they need to be able to run faster to escape certain predators that would want to eat them. If they couldn’t run fast enough to escape their predators they wouldn’t survive; only the ones who could get away would survive, then being able to breed and pass on those traits necessary for survival. After many generations of the necessary traits being passed on, you would have an animal with what many of the traits they would need to survive.
So like I said: the makeup of part of the DNA slowly changes over time to adapt necessarily to the changing environment around them.
32 flyinggecko101 // Jan 12, 2007 at 11:50 am

GENES CONNECTED TO EVOLUTION
Genes are connected to evolution using different traits. Overtime genes change through a child and that’s how now there are so many different breeds of dog because all genes (like in a punnet square) are used. In dogs the tameness of dogs change through genes and many other obedience traits. Things such as ears being stiff or floppy or spots on the body are related to genes.

0.
33 flyinggecko101 // Jan 12, 2007 at 11:50 am

GENES CONNECTED TO EVOLUTION
Genes are connected to evolution using different traits. Overtime genes change through a child and that’s how now there are so many different breeds of dog because all genes (like in a punnet square) are used. In dogs the tameness of dogs change through genes and many other obedience traits. Things such as ears being stiff or floppy or spots on the body are related to genes.
34 volleyball chick 4 lifee // Jan 12, 2007 at 11:55 am

One of the biggest connections that stood out to me was how genetics can be evolved to form a new species. An example from the movie is how the fastest wolf gets the rabbit. That wolf that got the rabbit will be the healthiest and will be able to attract a mate, therefore creating an offspring. This cycle will continue, and each time the offspring will carry a stronger gene for running. Before you know it, you end up with an extremely fast dog that could beat anything in a 3 mile race.

This connects genetics and evolution because the reason that the wolf evolved into a fast dog was because the gene that carries how fast an animal can run in each offspring slowly grew with each new offspring.

I found it easier to understand this cycle with a visual. To me evolution is a slightly confusing cycle, and the movie made it easier for me to understand.
35 january g man // Jan 12, 2007 at 11:57 am

Hi everyone!
The connection between genetics and evolution is that the genes form a parent get passed down to children. When the genes get passed down to the children, the genes can get a little mixed up. Due to that the hild will be a little different than the adult (parent). Then when the child has a babie, that offspring can have a change in their genes and be different from their perent. After a couple of years you will hav an entirely different species. That is how genetics is connected to evolution.
36 PinkButterfly397 // Jan 12, 2007 at 3:38 pm

***Genes connecting to Evolution***

I found alot of similaritys between genetics and evolution. Evolution has to due with how the species genes have changed over a period of time. Like if the wolfes genes did not change there wouldn’t be any dogs . I also find it intresting how their are many types of dogs. To make all these species the genes must of changed alot. Like how some dogs genes make them have long tails and some make them have short.***
37 spygirl93 // Jan 12, 2007 at 5:27 pm

I think that one way genetics and evolution are a like is that some species have different types of the same animal. In dogs their are TONS of different types and it must have takes that proccess thousands of years. I never really thought about how alike genetics and evolution are but now i know they really are. Even humans evolved from something and we need genetics too.
38 spygirl93 // Jan 12, 2007 at 5:30 pm

to pink butterfly-
I think that your description of genetics and evolution are easy to understand. I saw that both of us related them the same way.(dogs) Your paragraph made a lot of sence!!
39 spygirl93 // Jan 12, 2007 at 5:32 pm

January g man-
WOW
That was really good i like the way you explained everything.
40 spygirl93 // Jan 12, 2007 at 5:35 pm

Flyinggekko101-
You did very good and described everything very well. I likes it a lot.
41 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 13, 2007 at 5:19 pm

Dear Mr. Ardito,

I posted my blog work on the 10th this week, and it was there until today. I scrolled through and I can’t find it. Should I re-post it??
I’m not sure what happened to it, it just disappeared. People did comment on it before it disappeared, so it was on the blog.
42 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 13, 2007 at 5:20 pm

oops, sorry Mr.Ardito, I just saw it:/
43 DARLiNGPiNK! // Jan 13, 2007 at 5:25 pm

This comment is for Gia Beth.

I really liked how you talked about adaptation in your response. You also had a lot of details to support what you were saying. You definately answered the question and did a great job doing it!!
Keep up the good work!!
44 PinkButterfly397 // Jan 14, 2007 at 10:36 am

Spygirl93***——
Your response was very good it. Great job!!!
i love the smiley faces!!!
45 PinkButterfly397 // Jan 14, 2007 at 10:44 am

Volleyball Chick 4 life***–+
you gave very good examples in your response. It was very discripted.
46 PinkButterfly397 // Jan 14, 2007 at 10:46 am

Gia Beth****—

I like how you set up you response with the question in front of it. VERY GOOD RESPONSE!!!
47 Gia Beth // Jan 14, 2007 at 3:51 pm

volleyball chick 4 lifee - I like how you explained one of the biggest connections between evolution and genetics and then told how the connection was made. Great job!!!
48 Gia Beth // Jan 14, 2007 at 3:56 pm

White Ivy - I think you did a great job putting all of your information into words. You used a lot of facts from the movie that are great examples of how genetics and evolution are connected to one another. Keep up the good work!
49 volleyball chick 4 lifee // Jan 15, 2007 at 3:17 pm

This comment is for ManiacLeprechaun.

I liked your example of how genetics and evolution match. For me it is pretty confusing about the whole mating and passing on genes thing, and I like how you explained it by saying how when a male with certain genes mates with a female with certain genes, their offspring will carry both sets of genes. Good job!!!
50 volleyball chick 4 lifee // Jan 15, 2007 at 3:21 pm

This comment is for Gia Beth.

I liked your response a lot. It was very thorough and well thought out. You used very informative examples from the movie, and you seem to fully understand the subject. Well done!!!
51 volleyball chick 4 lifee // Jan 15, 2007 at 3:25 pm

This comment is for green.

I liked your response because it was very informative and you used an example of a specific species adapting to human tasks therefore altering their genetics to create a new version of the species. Just be careful and watch your spelling!! Great work!!!!
52 Hilary Duff // Jan 26, 2007 at 9:54 am

Between genetics and evolution they are similarly. Evolution has to due with how species genes have changed, over a period of time. Like if the wolfs genes did not change there wouldn’t be any dogs, I also find interesting how there are many types of dogs. To make all these species the genes must changed a lot. Some dog genes make them have long tails and some make them have short.
- Hilary Duff
53 cause of turning wolfs into dogs // May 1, 2008 at 3:37 pm

[...] dogs came from wolfs. … if the wolfs genes did not change there wouldn&8217t be any dogs, I …http://mrardito.edublogs.org/2007/01/10/dogs-and-more-dogs-assignment-le-period-6/NOVA Transcripts Dogs and More Dogs PBSOne of them is the wolf. The wolf moves into that kind of a, [...]