In-Depth Film Guide
www.BioInteractive.org Page 4 of 9
IN-DEPTH FILM GUIDE
TEACHER MATERIALS
The Making of the Fittest:
Natural Selection and Adaptation
• The rock pocket mouse story is very similar to another that your students may have heard about, that of the peppered
moths. The peppered moth can be light colored or dark colored. Dark-colored peppered moths became more
common in Britain following the Industrial Revolution, in part because they were able to avoid predation by blending
in with soot-covered trees when resting. You or your students may have heard that this story is “fake,” and, indeed,
there were some problems with the original research. The essential elements are, however, correct and a good
example of natural selection “in action.” For more on the peppered moths and the problems cited by some, see Ken
Miller, “The Peppered Moth—an Update,” Evolution Resources, August 1999,
www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/Moths/moths.html.
CLASSROOM RESOURCES FOR THE FILM
Color Variation over Time in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations (
www.biointeractive.org/color-variation-over-time-rock-
pocket-mouse-populations)
A data collection and analysis lesson that examines selection for coat color in rock pocket mouse populations on
different-colored substrates over time. Students collect data, prepare graphs, and answer questions that apply the
concepts introduced in the film.
Appropriate for middle school life science, high school biology (all levels including AP and IB)
Allele and Phenotype Frequencies in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations (
www.biointeractive.org/allele-and-
phenotype-frequencies-rock-pocket-mouse-populations)
A lesson that uses real rock pocket mouse data collected by Dr. Michael Nachman and his colleagues to illustrate the
Hardy-Weinberg principle. Students use the data to calculate allele and phenotype frequencies and then manipulate
selection values using a spreadsheet.
Appropriate for high school biology (all levels including AP and IB), introductory college biology
Molecular Genetics of Color Mutations in Rock Pocket Mice (
www.biointeractive.org/molecular-genetics-color-
mutations-rock-pocket-mice)
A lesson that requires students to transcribe and translate portions of the wild-type and mutant rock pocket mouse Mc1r
genes and compare sequences to identify the locations and types of mutations responsible for the coat-color variation
described in the film.
Appropriate for high school biology (all levels including AP and IB), introductory college biology
The Biochemistry and Cell Signaling Pathway of the Mc1r Gene (
www.biointeractive.org/biochemistry-and-cell-
signaling-pathway-mc1r-gene)
An advanced lesson that requires students to analyze partial DNA sequences of the Mc1r gene and identify the effects of
altered amino acid chemistry on the functionality of the mutated MC1R protein pathway.
Appropriate for high school biology (all levels including AP and IB), introductory college biology
Natural Selection and Evolution of Rock Pocket Mouse Populations (
www.biointeractive.org/natural-selection-and-
evolution-rock-pocket-mouse-populations)
A lesson in which students analyze amino acid data and draw conclusions about the evolution of coat-color phenotypes
in different rock pocket mouse populations. The lesson reviews the key concepts and causes of evolution, including
mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.
Appropriate for high school biology (all levels including AP and IB), introductory college biology
OTHER BIOINTERACTIVE RESOURCES
Natural and Artificial Selection (www.biointeractive.org/natural-and-artificial-selection
)
In this Click and Learn activity, students learn about natural and artificial selection. It features multiple clips from lectures
on evolution (see below).