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Understanding Evolution: Evidence and Theories

Explore how evolution is defined and the evidence supporting it, including fossil records, comparative studies, and Darwin's theory of natural selection. Understand the significance of variation, adaptation, and survival of the fittest in the process of evolution.

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Understanding Evolution: Evidence and Theories

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  1. Topic: EvolutionAim: How do we define Evolution and what evidence supports Evolution?Do Now: What is a Scientific Theory?

  2. Evolution is a well supported explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world A theory in science is a well tested hypothesis, not just a guess

  3. Evolution is when populations change over time and new Species Emerge. Modern organisms descended from ancient ones

  4. What Evidence is there to support Evolution? Fossil Record Comparative Studies: Comparative Anatomy Comparative Embryology Comparative Cytology Comparative Biochemistry

  5. Evidence of Evolution Fossil Record provides evidence that living things have evolved Fossils show the history of life on earth and how different groups of organisms have changed over time

  6. Comparative Anatomy Studying and comparing the anatomy (bones and features) of organisms. Homologous Structures: The set up is the same but the function is different. Analagous Structures: The set up is different but the function in the same. Vestigal Structures: Are present but no longer function.

  7. Homologous Body Structures

  8. Analaglous Structures

  9. Comparative Embryology Similarities in Embryology In their early stages of development, chickens, turtles and rats look similar, providing evidence that they shared a common ancestry.

  10. Embryological development

  11. Biochemistry Compares organisms DNA and the proteins produced.

  12. Comparative Cytology Comparing the cells of organisms Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

  13. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) Sailed around the world 1831-1836

  14. What did Darwin’s Travels reveal • The diversity of living species was far greater than anyone had previously known!! • These observations led him to develop the theory of evolution!!

  15. How did finches differ among the islands of the Galapagos? Each island had its own type of tortoises and birds that were clearly different from other islands

  16. LamarkTheory of acquired characteristics Lamark said organisms acquired traits by using their bodies in new ways These new characteristics were passed to offspring Lamark was totally wrong!

  17. Darwin finally published his ideas in 1859 • Other naturalists were developing the same theory that Darwin did. • Even though he was afraid of the Church’s reaction to his book he wanted to get credit for his work.

  18. DARWINS THEORY OF Natural Selection • The traits that help an organism survive in a particular environment are “selected” in natural selection

  19. Summary of Darwin’s Theory 1. Organisms differ; VARIATION is inherited 2. Organisms produce more offspring than survive = OVERPRODUCTION 3. Organisms COMPETE for resources 4. Organisms with advantages survive to pass those advantages to their children = SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (BETTER ADAPTED FOR THAT ENVIRONMENT) 5. REPRODUCTION of organisms that survive to pass on their “better” genes to their offspring.

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