6.

1 Darwins
Theory of Evolution
Why and how have organisms
changed over time???
Think about it from the beginning. . .
How do you think all of the creatures we
have today came to be?
True or False
All creatures were created by God
Humans descended from fish
God created the first man and woman
God created all creatures the way they
are today
Whales used to have legs
Birds used to be dinosaurs
True or False
Humans have as many genes as chickens
We are created in the likeness of God
Humans have 99% the same DNA as chimps
The thumb is the most important attribute that
separates humans from other creatures
God created all the creatures of land and sea in
one day
Since we dont chew with great force, the
human species evolved
Charles Darwin
Was a religious man
From England
At age 22 in 1831, he
set sail on a five year trip
around the world
Charles Darwins Voyage
Was ships naturalist
Person who studies natural world
His job was to learn about living things he
saw on journey
Question: why there were so many organisms
that he never saw in England?
Observations led to one of the most
important theories of all time



Observations on Journey
Diversity
Very different species
Fossils
Saw preserved remains of organisms similar but
different to organisms alive today
Characteristics of organisms on Galapagos
Islands




Galapagos Organisms
Galapagos Islands far off coast of S.A.
Saw similarities and differences between
organisms on islands and organisms on
mainland
Ex) iguanas on island large claws to grasp
slippery rocks to feed on seaweed
Ex) iguanas on mainland small claws to climb
trees to eat leaves

Galapagos Organisms (contd)
HYPOTHESIS: species came to island
from mainland and over time offspring
became different from mainland relatives
Darwin observed ADAPTATION
Adaptation
A trait that helps an organism survive and
reproduce

Example
Protection porcupine needles, skunk,
poisonous plants
Adaptations of Galapagos Organisms
Finches Beaks those eating bugs had narrow
thin beaks, but those eating seeds had strong
wide beaks

Iguanas those on mainland had smaller claws
allowing them to climb trees to eat leaves. Those
on island had large claws that allowed them to
grip slippery rocks where they eat seaweed

Bird Beak Adaptation Activity
Use tweezers to pick up as much
birdseed as you can in 10 seconds

Then use clothes pin to pick up as much
birdseed as you can in 10 seconds.

Compare which method is more effective.
Theory of Evolution
Back in England, Darwin developed a
scientific theory and studied it for 20 years
Theory is a well-tested concept that explains a
wide range of observations
Cannot be proved but can be disproved
Called theory of evolution
Root: evolve
Theory of Evolution
Evolution
Gradual change in a species over time
Theory of Evolution
Darwin reasoned that organisms that came to
islands faced different conditions than on
mainland.
Theorized that species gradually changed over
many generations and became better adapted to
new conditions


Natural Selection: An Explanation
Years later, Darwin and biologist Wallace
offered an explanation how evolution could
occur
In Darwins book
The Origin of Species
Video Clip
Discovery Education
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
Process by which individuals that are better
adapted to their environment are more likely to
survive and reproduce than other members of
the same species

Factors that Affect Natural Selection
Overproduction

Competition

Variation


Factor #1:
Overproduction
More offspring are produced than can survive in
most species. . . Why?

Frogs lay hundreds of eggs in a year. . .


Factor #2
Competition
Direct and indirect (more indirect)
Competition of food, shelter, mates

Factor #3
Variation
Any difference between individuals of the same
species
Examples
Ex) some fish/turtles swim faster than others
Ex) some tigers are more aggressive than others
Others????
Role of Genes
Variations can result from mutations and
changing of alleles during meiosis
Three Factors lead to
NATURAL SELECTION!!!
Natural Selection
Some variations are better adapted to
environment
These are more likely to survive and reproduce
Ex: fastest fish escape their hunters
Ex: iguanas that camouflage dont get eaten
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Selection (contd)
Strong parents will pass on variations to offspring
As time passes, more members will have these
helpful characteristics
Environment selects organisms with
helpful traits to be parents of next
generation
Helpful variations increase, unfavorable one
disappear
Example of Evolution
Moths used to be very light because bark
was lightcamoflague

Industrial Revolution made lots of pollution
and soot which made trees dark

Over time moths became darker and darker
to blend in with trees
Role of Environment
Environmental change can lead to selection
Affects ability of organism to survive

Human Evolution
Thought that humans have evolved from
apes
There are MANY early versions of the
human
Our form is homo sapien
We are still adapting
We stand upright which is unusual
Back and legs not adapted so we have pains
Pictures of Various Human Sapiens
https://www.msu.edu/~robin400/ramidus.ht
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When Darwin was alive, the Catholic
Church Against Evolution

Catholics vs. Darwin
Darwins theory would mean Creation
Story is not literal or true
People thought God made each creature with an
intended PURPOSE that wasnt to change
Darwin said only purpose is to
reproduce/survive
Darwins theory would mean God did not make
everything in this world in seven days

Darwin did NOT say God is not real
Modern Catholic Church
No definite stance on evolution of species
of organisms if they did develop, it was
under Gods guidance

Accepts that the biological human form of
the body could have developed under
Gods guidance but insists on special
creation of the SOUL!
Summary
There was once only one or a few species
all the thousands we have today were once
these original species they evolved
gradually over time due to natural selection.
That is, the survival of the fittest led to
changes in characteristics