Download Evolution

The Theory of
Evolution
Video Clip – Isn’t Evolution just a Theory?
Evolution
 The
theory that species change
over time
A
change in the genetic make-up
of a population over a period of
time.
Misconceptions
 Individuals
do NOT evolve!
Populations evolve.
 Evolution
occurs at conception
when new combinations of DNA
are made.

The only role you have left in evolution
will be when you have children.
Evidence for Evolution
 Indirect
& Direct Evidence
 Indirect
Evidence: Evidence for
evolution by observing the history
of the Earth
 “Indirect”
= not seeing a creature
change before our eyes, but studying
change over millions of years
Examples of Indirect
Evidence
1. Fossil Record
2. Comparative Anatomy
 Homologous
structures
 Analogous structures
 Vestigial structures
3. Comparative Embryology
4. Biogeography
1-Pager (pgs. 423-428)

Label the top of the drawing paper “Indirect Evidence of Evolution”
 Fold

paper into 4 sections
For each type of indirect evidence:
 Describe
how this evidence supports the
theory of evolution (include key vocab)
 Give an example of what is meant by each
topic
 Draw a picture to represent the topic or
example given
1-Pager (pgs. 423-428)
 Title:
Indirect Evidence for
Evolution
 For
each type of evidence:
 Describe
the Evidence
 Give an example
 Draw a related picture
 Define
paper
3 vocab words on back of
Indirect Evidence
for Evolution
Fossil Record

Dating Fossils
 The Law of
Superposition:
oldest fossils found at
bottom and newest
on top

Radioactive
Carbon Dating:
C14 can be used to
age fossils
Comparative Anatomy

Homologous
structures:
 A common limb
that has evolved to
perform a different
function.

Ex: Bird wing,
human arm, whale
fluke all have
similar bone
structure
*Same structure different function
Analogous
structure:

Different
structures that
perform the
same function

Ex: Bird wing vs.
fly wing
*Different structure, same function

Vestigial structures: A structure that
is reduced in function (snake hips)
*Other
examples:
appendix
& coccyx
Wisdom Teeth
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/no-wisdom-teeth1.htm
Comparative Embryology:

Comparing the embryos of different
species can give clues to
evolutionary relationships.
Biogeography
 Study
of the distribution of plants
and animals on Earth
 Life
& where life is found
 Example:
 Island
species most closely resemble
species on the nearest mainland
Direct Evidence
for Evolution
Evidence of evolution that
one can visually observe
over time
(a.k.a Microevolution)
1. Observations in
Nature
 Peppered
Moth
Adaptations
 Favorable
traits that make an
organism more likely or “fit” to
survive
 Traits
are controlled by genes
Examples of Adaptation

Camouflage – blending in
 Peppered

moth
Mimicry – an individual gains an
advantage by looking like the individuals
of a different species
 Monarch
is poisonous and Viceroy is not
2. Changes in Genetic
Make-up

The organism whose genetic make-up
will aid in its survival will reproduce
and pass on those traits
Example

Taking antibiotics will kill most of the
bacteria causing you a problem.

If just 1 bacterium is resistant to the
antibiotics (different genetic make-up), it
will survive and reproduce more bacteria
resistant to the antibiotic…

They have evolved!!