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Evolution & The Time Machine A Look at How it All Connects Point 1: Science deals with the physical laws of nature (not spiritual) This means that science cannot solve all problems Science answers the how—not the why It cannot answer the questions that depend on opinion, belief, or judgment What is a “Theory”—well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations Point 2: The idea of evoultion began more than 2000 years ago The Greek philosopher Empedocles was the first to write down his observation that the world was in a state of gradual development affecting living and non-living things The term “evolution” comes from a Latin word meaning the unrolling of a scroll Jean Baptiste Lamark coined the term (as we use it today) in the early 1880s Point 2: The idea of evoultion began more than 2000 years ago In the mid-late 1800s, both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the Theory of Natural Selection, based upon experiments and observations, as a mechanism to explain evolution Today, a simple definition of evolution is a change that occurs in a population over many generations Point 3: Theory of Natural Selection states: All organisms vary in their characteristics Organisms in nature produce more offspring than can possibly survive Organisms always struggle for food, habitat, protection, and mates On average, offspring that vary in ways favoured by the environment will survive better and produce more offspring of their own (biologically successful)—favourable characteristics will thus accumulate in the population over time Point 3: Continued (Piranha Test) Point 4: Implications of Natural Selection 1: Populations evolve, individuals do not 2: Evolution has no purpose other than to increase success 3: Evolution is not “headed” anywhere in particular (no direction) Part 5: Evidence for Evolution Fossils of extinct creatures are the best evidence for change The fossil record allows us to reconstruct evolutionary history with confidence The DNA of organisms that seem to be related is similar Homologous and vestigial organs—no other good reason for them to exist Point 5: Continued (Homologous) Homologous— organs and structure are the same but have different functions Point 5: Continued (Vestigial) Whale: pelvis/femur/ischium = bones needed for walking Python: femur/illium = bones needed for walking Human: wisdom teeth, appendix, rudimentary tail muscles (Shallow Hal) Point 5: Continued—We can watch it happen Natural Selection Darwin’s Finches Artificial Selection Bacteria and antibiotics (antibiotic resistant strains) Insects (insecticide/pesticide resistance) Domestic animals (grey wolf and dogs) Point 5: Continued—We can watch it happen Point 6: No, humans have not evolved directly from apes Darwin said humans and apes evolved from a common distant ancestor This split occurred 4-5 m.y.a. Today, our closest cousin is the chimpanzee Point 7: Religious viewpoint Many people accept evolution as being controlled by divine guidance Pope John Paul II accepted evolution as a plausible theory Point 8: Evolution & The Time Machine Wells is suggesting a split or branching of humanity One branch went underground—over time they evolved into the creature known as Morlocks (loss of pigmentation, eyes don’t do well in light) One branch remained above ground— over time they evolved into the creatures known as Eloi (loss of ability to think or fend for themselves Point 8: Evolution & The Time Machine--Continued Using what we have just learned—how could this evolution have occurred in the human race? Take five minutes, and respond to that question. If you are not 100% sure, then give a logical guess.