Download Natural Selection

Theory of Evolution
Evolution:
A change in a species over time (many
generations)
Adaptation:
Characteristics / Traits which improve an
organism’s ability to survive and reproduce
Natural Selection
“Survival of the Fittest”
Environmental conditions influence which
organisms in a population survive.
Artificial Selection
Selective breeding of domesticated plants
and animals to produce desired offspring.
Fossils
The remains or traces of organisms that lived
in the past.
Extinct
When a species no longer exists on Earth.
Mutation
A change in a gene.
Variation
Differences among members of a species.
Charles Darwin
Came up with the Theory of Evolution.
Traveled around the world for 5 years studying
various types of life. Spent a lot of time in the
Galapagos Islands.
Darwin’s 4 Principles
1. Variation
2. Inherited genes
3. Overproduction
4. Natural selection
Jean Baptiste Lamarck
“Missed the mark”
Thought animals change during their life time
and pass these traits on to their young.
Example: If you dye your hair pink your
children will have pink hair.
5 Pieces of Evidence of Evolution
1. Fossils
2. Embryology
3. Biochemistry
4. Biogeography
5. Comparative Anatomy
1. Fossils:
Show us organisms in the past were different
but also share some of the same traits as
modern organisms found today.
2. Embryology:
Embryos of closely related organisms often
have similar stages in development.
3. Biochemistry
Comparing DNA of organisms.
4. Biogeography
Differences and similarities between
organisms in different parts of the world.
Emu – Australia
Ostrich - Africa
Rhea – South America
5. Comparative Anatomy
Similarities in structures of different organisms
can show how closely related they are.