Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Teaching evolution using a card game: negative frequency-dependent selection
Luttikhuizen, P.C. (2018). Teaching evolution using a card game: negative frequency-dependent selection. J. Biol. Educ. 52(2): 122-129. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2017.1420677
In: Journal of biological education. Academic Press: New York,. ISSN 0021-9266; e-ISSN 2157-6009, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Author 

Author keywords
    Active learning; card game; biological evolution; negative frequency-dependent selection; self-incompatibility; outcrossing

Author  Top 
  • Luttikhuizen, P.C., more

Abstract
    Teaching biological evolution can be difficult on a number of levels, be it student confusion arising from prior conceptions and the controversy surrounding evolution, or simply because the material is complex. Games and simulations can help to convey complex topics and also to increase variety in teaching methods. Here I describe a card game that can be used to teach the advanced topic of protected polymorphism in higher education settings. Protected polymorphism is allelic variation resulting from negative frequency-dependent selection; when the fitness of an allele increases when it becomes rare, the allele will be ‘protected’ from extinction. Negative frequency-dependent selection is proposed to maintain genetic variation in nature, which is required for evolution by natural selection. Protected polymorphisms primarily play a role in biological interactions, such as immune systems, plant-pathogen interactions, sexual selection and predator-prey interactions. The card game described here uses plant pollination alleles as an example. The game is played using eleven stocks of traditional playing cards per group of about six students. Specific topics addressed include negative frequency-dependent selection, polyploidy, dominance, selfing and inbreeding depression.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Author