Download Feedback to Written Assignment 1

Feedback to Written Assignment 1 (Fall 2013)
This details some of the most common problems in the last written assignment. Please
read to help you for your next written assignment.
1. Read Carefully and Understand Assigned Question
Make sure not to misinterpret but to understand exactly what assigned questions
require.
2. Introduction and Thesis Statement
1. Address general reader
2. 1st sentence should signal importance of the subject and grab attention of the
general reader.
For example, in this case, you are dealing with scientific theories explaining the development of
life on earth, or that revolutionized our understanding of life and challenged traditional religious
views, etc...
3. Move from general to the specific in your Intro., ending with one sentence thesis
statement (TS) (underlined)
4. The specific is your TS and should probably be last sentence of your Intro (underlined). It
is the main idea you will focus on.
5. Get to the point ­ don’t give us entire history of science up to Darwin and Lamarck or ideas
that are too far from the theme of your essay (Two scientific theories of the development of life)
6. Keep it short! No more than 4­5 sentences max! (one paragraph)
3. Quotations, Paraphrases, References and Bibliography
­ Use quotations from Origin (on website) to support some of your views
­ Do not forget references even for paraphrased passages
­ References in your text AS WELL AS Bibliography or Works Cited Page needed!
Missing References: Paraphrased passages REQUIRE references!
Omitting these next time = 0 and further disciplinary action!
Bibliography
● Author first, then title, then other information
● Title of articles in quotation marks “Title of Article”, books underlined (or italicized)
● Use Title Case
● ABC = List by Alphabetical Order by author name (or Title of article if no author)
● See “Tips” or Academic Skills Center website
Smith, John Lamarck Was a Jerk, Montreal: Zombie Press, 2013.
Smith, John “Lamarck Was a Jerk,” n.d. Date accessed: November 2,
2013, <http://www.lamarck.org>
4. Some Confusions with Terminology and Concepts
●
“Acquired” means something obtained within a lifetime but NOT inherited (i.e., not
passed down by genes) as in, e.g., big muscles as a result of working out, or slightly
longer neck as a result of constant stretching.
● Adaptation (see variation and adaptation): A physical feature or behaviour that helps an
organism survive and reproduce (e.g., giraffe’s neck, finch’s beaK), the end result of a
natural selection and deep time. Can sometimes mean the process by which such
features have developed (i.e., evolution by natural selection).
● Deep time ­ theory that argues the earth and life on it are much older than previously
thought (including what Bible interpreters thought but also other scientists before
development of geology). DT is a key part of evolution because evolution requires
thousands or even millions of years.
● Inherit = something that IS passed down by genes
● NB: Neither Lamarck knew about genes ­ they used terms like “heredity” or “variations”
● Characteristics (or character) is any visible feature of an animal, like long neck size, or
sharp teeth of a lion, etc…
● Evolution ­ any theory that claims species evolved from previous species, usually
occurrign over a long time period (“deep time”).
● Environment (see nature)
● mutation = “accidents” to the genetic code which most often result in unfavourable or
neutral characteristics (e.g., many genetic diseases are due to mutations). In rare cases,
mutations may be advantageous and thus will give the animal an advantage or make
them more fit in the struggle for survival. Mutation can thus be one source of genetic
variation. Another source is sexual recombination which Darwin and others knew about.
Mutation was not clearly understood and not a part of natural selection theory until the
1930s (long after Darwin’s death.
● Nature = the entire physical and biological environment, all animals (including all their
body parts and behaviours), all species and individuals are part of nature (i.e., just about
everything except “supernatural” e.g., God!)
Some state that L does not believe nature causes species changes but that individuals do
(incorrect distinction between individual and nature assumed here).
● natural explanations or causes = scientific explanations or causes (i.e., not
explanations that refer to supernatural causes (God or religion).
Both D & L provide scientific or natural explanations for the origin of species ­ meaning (in part)
natural causes to explain natural phenomena.
● Natural Selection. (aka “survival of the fittest”) is the “mechanism” or what drives or
explains how evolution is possible. Not the same as evolution. NS does not take a long
time but occurs “hourly and daily” (Darwin). But for natural selection to add up to change
from one species to another (evolution) deep time is needed. Deep time is not part of
natural selection but is still essential to evolution. (see deep time)
●
●
●
sexual recombination
Survival of the fittest See natural selection.
Species and individual: A species (always pl) is a group of interbreeding individuals
who can mate and have offspring. They often look similar and we can recognize
examples such as giraffes, lions, etc… but not always, e.g., chimpanzee is not one
species but two (common chimp and bonobo chimp), elephant is also two (African and
Indian elephant), Tiger (includes African and Bengal species and perhaps others!).
● individual: One member (individual) of a species, e.g., a particular giraffe. When nature
“selects” it selects individuals not an entire species at a time.
● Time scale problems: Both L & D’s theories assume small changes occur to
individuals of a species first, on a brief time scale (within a lifetime). These changes are
then passed down, accumulated and spread throughout an entire species generation
after generation on a longer time scale.
Thus view that “Natural selection takes a long time” is incorrect. However, evolution (change of
one species into another) does takes a long time (deep time). Natural selection (daily) with deep
time (thousands or millions of years) explains evolution.
● Variation and adaptation (or evolution). Variation refers to the slight differences
between individuals of the same species and happens every time there is reproduction
and . Adaptation and evolution are the end result of an accumulation and spread of
favourable variations that takes thousands or millions of years (deep time). Variation
should not be used to mean adaptation or differences between species.
○ Variation can also be used to mean heredity more generally, what organisms
transmit genetically to offspring.
● Believe or belief
Some write “Darwin believed in evolution”. This is incorrect, word “believe”
No. Belief is when you don't have facts or logical arguments and is appropriate to religion not
science.
5. Lamarck’s Theory:
Distinguish clearly two parts of L’s theory: (1) use/disuse and (2) IAC
● use/disuse leads to increased/decreased body part in an individual in its lifetime
● IAC refers to passing down of that change to offspring
(1) Use/Disuse: Environment (=nature) → forces new habits, behaviours and new needs on an
animal → this means increased use of certain body parts and decreased use of others → as a
result of constant use, new characteristic acquired (or lessened use, characteristic lost or
reduced)
(2) Inheritance of Acquired characteristic → the acquired characteristic is passed down by
heredity (inherited) to offspring.
Insufficiently distinguishing the process of use/disuse and inheritance of ac:
For example when a giraffe would constantly stretch its neck to get to high leaves for its food, its
offspring would be affected and inherit a longer neck.
Improved to show distinction:
For example when a giraffe would constantly stretch its neck to get to high leaves for its food, it
would increase it’s neck length. This increase would then be inherited by its offspring.
Explain theory then provide example
6. Darwin’s Theory
Use ch.3 of my DTP (and PowerPoint on Natural Selection) as suggestion for how to organize
and structure your explanation of Darwin’s theory.
● evolution is a product of natural selection
● natural selection can be broken down into two components: GPI and V
○ (define each and explain how GPI leads to population outstripping resources and
how V implies differences in fitness)
○ Bring together GPI and V showing how since not all survive, nature selects only
individuals with fittest variations to survive and reproduce.
○ Reproduction of fittest means fit traits remain and less fit ones die off
● Now bring in Deep Time, showing how process described above continued for
thousands of generations results in development of new species