Evolution

The Study of How Species Change Over Time!

Evolutionary Theory
Jean Baptise de Lamark (1744-1829) 1809, proposed an explanation of the
1. The needs of an organism determined the

origin of species in his book Zoological Philosophy

2.
characteristics that evolved in the organism Useful characteristics acquired in their lifetime can be transferred to its offspring

This is called Use and Disuse

Use and Disuse

How did the giraffe
get a long neck?

No silly, he didnt
stretch it out!

Charles Darwin (1807-1882)

Wrote Origin of Species
which presented observations that demonstrated all living things evolved from other living things Based on Variation and Natural Selection

Some of Darwin's ideas that support evolution

Overproduction
Within a population, more offspring are born then can possibly survive.

Competition:
Numbers of individuals in a population remain the same from generation to generation. A struggle for survival is suggested This is the basis for life

Survival of the Fittest

Individuals who
survive are the ones best adapted to exist in their environment due to the possession of variations.

Reproduction
Individuals that survive will reproduce and transmit these variations to their offspring.

Speciation
As time and generations
continue, many adaptations are perpetuated in individuals until new species evolve in forms different from the common ancestor

Natural Selection
Traits which are beneficial to the survival of an organism

in a particular environment tend to be retained and passed on, increasing in frequency with in the population Trait which have low survival tend to decrease in Frequency When environmental conditions change, trait that were formally associated with low survival may have greater survival

Problem with Darwins Theory:

He did not have any genetic backing for his theory!

Modern Evolutionary Theory

Supports Darwins theory
of evolution through mechanisms of genetic inheritance Genetic Variation is provided by mutations and sexual reproduction Mutations are spontaneous . Some are harmful, some dont do anything at all, and a small percentage help the species survive.

 Definition:

Mutations
A random change in the chemical nature of DNA Mutations must occur in the sex cells in order to be passed on to the next generation. Mutations in body cells will only affect the individual, not their offspring

 Anatomical structures which are no longer useful

have evolved to become smaller

Vestigial Structures

Comparing Structures and Functions

Comparative anatomy
Similarities in anatomical features

Comparison of Embryonic Development

Early vertebrate

embryos closely resemble one another

Comparative Biochemistry
Their structure and function can be similar
even though may not show structural similarity The closer biochemical similarities, the closer the relationship among organisms
Ex: nucleic acids.

Mechanisms and Patterns of Evolution: Geological Observations

Fossils:
Law of Super-posistion Carbon Dating Radio active decay

Common Ancestry Divergence of modern

forms of living things from pre-existing life forms This is the central concept in organic (species) evolution

Concepts of Evolution
Geographic Isolation
Favors speciation by segregating a small group from the main population with a geographi barrier Ex: Islands, mountains,
rivers .

In time, isolated populations may evolve into separate species Ex: Darwins Finches

Darwin's Finches

Adaptive radiation
Rapid speciation of a single or few species to fill
many ecological niches.

Geographic Isolation Cont.

Factors
1. It may have possessed different initial gene frequencies than the main population 2. Different mutations occur with in main population and isolated population 3. Different environmental factors Different selecting agents (factors that
determine who survives) on each population

Time Frame for Evolution

Gradualism:
Evolutionary change is slow and continuous

Punctuated

equilibrium:
Long periods of stability interrupted by geologically brief periods of significant change during which species may evolve.

The Basis of Evolution

There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved. -- Charles Darwin

Whats the Big Idea?

Descent with Modification organisms are altered through descent from an ancestor that lived in the remote past Environments change Species change

Descent with Modification is like a tree with multiple branching points from a common trunk to the tips of the youngest twigs that represent the diversity of living organisms

Homology
Homology Is the study of similar structures in different species due to their ancestry

Anatomical Homologies
Homologous structures are anatomical similarities that represent variations of a structure that was present in a common ancestor

Human

Cat

Whale

Bat

Homology in embryology (study of development) Reveals additional anatomical similarities

not visible in adult organisms

Chick embryo

Human embryo

Vestigial organs

Are remnants of structures that served important functions in the organisms ancestors