Unit 10 Evolution
Evolution is defined as a change over time, it is the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms
The Evolutionary Theory which is based upon a collection of scientific facts, observations, and hypotheses attempts to explain how life on earth has become so diverse.
Slide 1
Voyage of the Beagle
1.Charles Darwin contributed more to our understandings of evolution than anyone else.
2.Born in England, he was a naturalist, and sailed with the crew of the H.M.S. Beagle in 1831.
3.Although no one knew it at the time, this was to be one of the most important voyages in the history of science.
Slide 2
Darwin’s Voyage
During his voyage Darwin made many stops where he collected specimens and made many very important observations about how life changes over time. Slide 3
Living Organisms and Fossils
1.Darwin collected preserved remains of ancient organisms called fossils.
2.As Darwin studied fossils, He noticed that some resembled organisms that are alive today and others looked completely different.
Slide 4
5
Darwin’s Observations:•Darwin noticed that of all the plant and animal species that he collected, most were well suited to the environment that they inhabited.
•Darwin also noticed that biomes with very similar environments contained totally different animals.
•For example, he visited grasslands in Argentina and Australia and noticed that both had entirely different animals.
MaraArgentina
GiraffeAustralia
Slide 5
The Galapagos Islands
1. A group of small islands located
1000 km west of South America.
2. Darwin noted that although they were close together, the islands had very different climates.
3. Darwin was fascinated in particular
by the land tortoises
and finches that lived
in the Galapagos.
Slide 6
7
Pinta IslandIntermediate shell
Pinta
Isabela IslandDome-shaped shell
Hood IslandSaddle-backed shell
Hood
Isabela
Giant Tortoises of the Galápagos Islands
The shells of the tortoises on each island was different.
Slide 7
8
Galapagos Finches
Darwin also noticed that finches on each island had different beaks.
Slide 8
Darwin Presents His Case1.)Darwin returned to England in 1836, he brought back specimens from around the world.
2.)Darwin began filling notebooks with his ideas about species diversity and the process that would later be called evolution.
3.)In 1859,
Darwin published his book,
The Origin of Species
Slide 9
Natural Selection – The driving force behind evolution !
1.)Darwin realized that high birth rates and a shortage of life’s basic needs would eventually force organisms into competition for resources.
2.)The struggle for existence means that members of each species compete regularly to obtain food, living space, and other necessities of life.
3.)A key factor in the struggle for existence is how well suited an organism is to its environment. Those organisms best suited to the demands of the environment will be naturally selected by the environment and will go onto reproduce new
offspring with the same adaptations as the
parents.Slide 10
Evidence of Evolution
•Darwin argued that living things have been evolving on Earth for millions of years.
•Evidence to support his hypothesis is found in:
1.Fossil record
2.Geographical distribution of living species 3.Homologous structures of living organisms 4.Similarities in early embryonic development
Slide 11
1. Fossil RecordSedimentary rocks are the most common rocks at Earth’s surface. The buried plant and animal remains become fossils within the sedimentary layers.
Slide 12
The position of fossils within rock layers also can indicate their age.
By examining the fossil record fossils have shown the appearance of different structures over time.
Slide 13
Geographic Distribution of Living Species
North America
South America
B
E
A
V
E
R
M
U
S
K
R
A
T
CoypuCapybara Slide 14
15
How is it evidence of Evolution?
1. The beaver and muskrat in North America have very similar features and behaviors with the coypu and capybara of South America.
2. Evidence would suggest that these animals have evolved from a common ancestor as they moved over a larger area.
Slide 15
Homologous Body Structures
Homologous structures are structures that have been modified over time through the process of evolution. They have similar structure, but different functions.
Slide 16
17
Similarities in Early Embryonic Development
An embryo is an organism in its early stages of development
Slide 17
includes
Evidence of Evolution
Physical remains of organisms
Common ancestral species
Similar genes Similar genes
which is composed of which indicates which implies which implies
The fossil record
Geographic distribution of living species
Homologous body
structures
Similaritiesin early
development
Slide 18
