evolution only a theory?. basic premises for this discussion evolution is not a belief system. it is...
TRANSCRIPT
Evolution
Only a theory?
Basic premises for this discussion
• Evolution is not a belief system. It is a scientific concept. It has no role in defining religion or religious beliefs
• Evolution is a theory…but you don’t get any better than that in science
• There is a lot of contention about evolution, but not among scientists or scientific organizations.
Some basic definitions
• Fact: an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed
• Law: a descriptive generalization about how the physical world behaves
• Hypothesis: a testable statement that can be used to build inferences and explanations
Some basic definitions
• Theory: a well-substantiated explanation that incorporates facts, laws, inferences and tested hypotheses.
In science, you don’t get any better than a theory.
What is evolution?
A basic definition of evolution…“…evolution can be precisely
defined as any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one generation to the next." - Helena Curtis and N. Sue Barnes, Biology, 5th ed. 1989 Worth Publishers, p.974
So what does the definition mean?
• Evolution is a change in the number of times specific genes that code for specific characteristics occur within an interbreeding population
• Individuals don’t evolve, populations do
• There is no implied “improvement” in evolution
Evolution’s Core Principles
Descent with modification
Present day species have accumulated differences from their ancestors through the generations
Common Ancestor
Present day species
University of California Museum of Paleontology
Evolution’s Core Principles
Natural Selection(differential
reproductive success depends on an individual’s traits that allow it to survival to reproduce thus passing trait to next generation)
University of California Museum of Paleontology
Evolution’s Core Principles
Evolutionary adaptations:
inherited characteristics that increase an organisms’ chance of survival and successful reproduction
Natural Selection Affects Individuals
Evolution Affects Populations
Darwin did not work in a vacuum
Darwin’s Voyage of Discovery
A reconstruction of the HMS Beagle sailing off Patagonia.
The Voyage of the Beagle
Darwin’s Observations and Inferences
1st Observation:
All species have such great potential fertility that their population size would increase exponentially if all individuals that are born reproduced successfully.
Darwin’s Observations continued
2nd Observation
Populations tend to remain stable in size, excepting seasonal fluctuations.
3rd Observation
Environmental resources are limited
Darwin’s Observations continued
4th ObservationIndividuals of a population vary extensively in their
characteristics; no two individuals are exactly alike.
5th ObservationMuch of this variation
is heritable.
Darwin’s Inferences
Inference #1
Production of more individuals than the environment can support leads to a struggle for existence among individuals of a population, with only a fraction of offspring surviving each generation.
Darwin’s Inferences
Inference #2Survival in the struggle for
existence is not random, but depends in part on the hereditary constitution of the individuals. Those individuals whose inherited traits best fit them to their environments are likely to leave more offspring than less fit individuals.
Darwin’s InferencesInference #3This unequal ability of individuals to survive and
reproduce will lead to a gradual change in a population with favorable characteristics accumulating over the generations.
University of California Museum of Paleontology
Adaptive Radiation
• One species gives rise to multiple other species that exploit different resources.
Evolution evidence: Biogeography
• Geographical distribution of species
Examples: Islands vs. Mainland
AustraliaContinents
Biogeography
• The range of an organism is regulated in part by their ability to migrate to a new area
• Islands tend to have fewer species because of the difficulty in migrating there
• Changes in locations of continents over geologic time helps or hinders migration
Biogeography of Species
• Apes are found only in Africa and Asia
• No apes fossil or living are found in the Americas
• Species on islands are different from but most similar to the species on the nearest mainland
Evolution evidence: The Fossil Record
• Succession of forms over time
• Transitional links between past and present forms
• See Fossil Rocks and Time PowerPoint for further discussion
University of California Museum of Paleontology
Evolution evidence: Comparative Anatomy
• Homologous structures (homology)
• Descent from a common ancestor
• Vestigial organs Ex: whale/snake hindlimbs; wings on flightless birds
Vestigial Structures
• Vestigial Structures were present in the ancestor but little purpose in the descendent organism’s current environment
• Example: ostritch wings, eyes in cave dwelling fish, pelvis bones in snakes
University of California Museum of Paleontology
Mainland cormorant gave rise to Flightless cormorants
On an island with no predatorsBirds didn’t need to fly to escape so tiny wings were not a disadvantage and a heavier body and legs were an advantage
Homologous Structures:
Different types of bones in the forelimb of these mammals show descent with modification from a common ancestor as despite their differences in shape and use these bones all arise from the same embryological structure
PBS.org
Evolution evidence: Comparative Embryology
These vertebrates show similar features during the course of development
Ex. Pharyngeal (throat) pouches and ‘tails’ as embryos
Evolution evidence: Molecular Biology
• Similarities in DNA,
proteins and genes
• Common genetic
code
Lines of Evidence Supporting Evolution
• Biogeography
• Fossil record
• Homologous structures and Vestigial structures
• Embryo development similarities
• DNA similarities among organisms
“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”
Carl Sagan