‹ Biology simulationsBiology · A Level 9700 · 17 Selection and evolutionEight 3D simulations covering Topic 17.1 Variation, 17.2 Natural and artificial selection and 17.3 Evolution. Grow polygenic plants, run a t-test, apply selection pressures, drift allele frequencies, use Hardy-Weinberg, breed crops and cattle, build a tree from DNA and split a species.
One gene with a few alleles gives discontinuous variation; many genes with additive effects, plus the environment, give continuous variation. Change the number of genes and the environmental effect.
Is there a significant difference between the lengths of leaves from a sunny and a shady place? Take samples of 10 and compare the means.
The environment acts as a selection pressure on a trait such as body size. Choose the type of selection and run the generations.
In small populations, allele frequencies change by chance. Run several populations at once, or start a new population from a few founders, or let one pass through a bottleneck.
p + q = 1 and p² + 2pq + q² = 1. Set the frequency of the recessive phenotype and calculate the allele and genotype frequencies.
Humans choose which individuals breed. Look at three examples from the syllabus.
The more similar two species' DNA sequences, the more recently they shared a common ancestor. Compare the sequences and build the tree.
New species form when populations become genetically isolated and their gene pools change separately. Compare allopatric and sympatric speciation.
Eight interactive 3D simulations for Cambridge A Level Biology 9700 topic 17 Selection and evolution: the genetic basis of continuous and discontinuous variation, the t-test, stabilising, directional and disruptive selection, genetic drift, the founder effect and bottlenecks, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, selective breeding of wheat, maize and dairy cattle, DNA sequence data and evolutionary trees, and allopatric and sympatric speciation.
Eight 3D simulations covering Topic 17.1 Variation, 17.2 Natural and artificial selection and 17.3 Evolution. Grow polygenic plants, run a t-test, apply selection pressures, drift allele frequencies, use Hardy-Weinberg, breed crops and cattle, build a tree from DNA and split a species.
Selection and evolution is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology 9700 (topic 17 Selection and evolution). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (Multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured), Paper 3 (Advanced practical), Paper 4 (A Level structured), Paper 5 (Planning, analysis, evaluation). Syllabus for examination in 2025-2027. There are 8 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.
Full syllabus map: A Level Biology 9700 topic 17.
All simulation labs · A Level Biology 9700 · TheLucidSTEM home