Super Quiz

Evolutionary Biology! Evolution = Change through time in the properties of populations of organisms. Evolution = Change through time in the properties of populations of organisms.

Biological Evolution “Nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution” – Theodosius Dobzhansky “Nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution” – Theodosius Dobzhansky

Tiktaalik Transitional animal between fish and early tetrapods. Transitional animal between fish and early tetrapods. Shows how paleontology supports evolution. Shows how paleontology supports evolution. Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy help too. Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy help too.

Evolution Provides explanation for the plethora of species on earth. Provides explanation for the plethora of species on earth. Accounts for biological connection between humans and other animals. Accounts for biological connection between humans and other animals. Enables development of vaccines and antibiotics Enables development of vaccines and antibiotics

Genetics Heritable traits originate from DNA. Heritable traits originate from DNA. DNA contains segments called genes. DNA contains segments called genes. Genes direct the production of proteins. Genes direct the production of proteins. Proteins are required for growth and function of cells. Proteins are required for growth and function of cells.

DNA Responsible for the continuity of biological form and function across generations. Responsible for the continuity of biological form and function across generations.

Genetic Variation Sexual reproduction- combination of DNA Sexual reproduction- combination of DNA Asexual & Sexual repro.- mutation of DNA Asexual & Sexual repro.- mutation of DNA

Mutation Changes in DNA Changes in DNA Can either be really bad for an organism or very good for an organism. Can either be really bad for an organism or very good for an organism. If a mutation helps an organism to survive, that organism is likely to have many baby organisms. If a mutation helps an organism to survive, that organism is likely to have many baby organisms. Populations evolve, not individuals. Populations evolve, not individuals.

Selection Natural Selection- Nature “selects” organisms with traits that make them more likely to survive and reproduce. Natural Selection- Nature “selects” organisms with traits that make them more likely to survive and reproduce. Artificial selection- Humans “select” animals with traits that are beneficial to humans. Artificial selection- Humans “select” animals with traits that are beneficial to humans.

Speciation The evolutionary processes through which new species arise from existing species. The evolutionary processes through which new species arise from existing species.

Religion Most religions are cool with evolution, but some aren’t. Most religions are cool with evolution, but some aren’t. Science- must be based on factual observed evidence Science- must be based on factual observed evidence Religion- does not depend upon observable or provable facts Religion- does not depend upon observable or provable facts

Evol. Lineage- generations of populations Lineage- generations of populations Common ancestor- species at the fork in the splitting of a genetic lineage. Common ancestor- species at the fork in the splitting of a genetic lineage.

Adaptations Adaptation- traits that enable organism to survive and reproduce Adaptation- traits that enable organism to survive and reproduce ex: beaks, camoflage ex: beaks, camoflage

A short History of Evolutionary Biology Species evolved, and here we are now. Species evolved, and here we are now.

A short History of Evolutionary Biology: Evolution Before Darwin Discussed evolution- Maupertuis, Diderot, and Erasmus Darwin (Darwin’s grandpa) Discussed evolution- Maupertuis, Diderot, and Erasmus Darwin (Darwin’s grandpa) Diderot- encyclopedistes Diderot- encyclopedistes Jean-Baptiste Lamark- Philosophy Zoolique Jean-Baptiste Lamark- Philosophy Zoolique

Lamark Not evolution, Transformation. Not evolution, Transformation. Species can change form, but they never split lineage and never go extinct. Species can change form, but they never split lineage and never go extinct. Internal force- evolver mechanism Internal force- evolver mechanism Character Inheritence- daddy giraffe stretched his kneck, baby giraffe born with longer kneck Character Inheritence- daddy giraffe stretched his kneck, baby giraffe born with longer kneck Also known as Lamarkian Inheritance Also known as Lamarkian Inheritance

Anti-Lamarck Georges Cuvier- Lamarck’s rival Georges Cuvier- Lamarck’s rival Cuvier & Friends believed in fixity of species mostly to contradict Lamarck. Cuvier & Friends believed in fixity of species mostly to contradict Lamarck. –That means no evolution Developed classification system- four grps. Developed classification system- four grps. –Vertebrates –Articulates –Mollusks –Radiates

CHARLES DARWIN Traveled on the Beagle as a naturalist from Traveled on the Beagle as a naturalist from About a year after returning home, he realized that the different Galapagos islands he had visited had different bird species About a year after returning home, he realized that the different Galapagos islands he had visited had different bird species Decides species can change. Decides species can change.

More DARWIN Adaptations Adaptations Forms that are better adapted to survive will leave more offspring, leading to new species. Forms that are better adapted to survive will leave more offspring, leading to new species. Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace present their theory of evolution in Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace present their theory of evolution in 1858.

DARWIN’s Reception Evolution- Biologists accept it pretty much immediately. Evolution- Biologists accept it pretty much immediately. –Just not his exact model of evolution. Many biologists believed that evolution followed a predictable path, and so didn’t like the idea that a species could just adapt over time to better suit their enviornment whenever they felt like it. Many biologists believed that evolution followed a predictable path, and so didn’t like the idea that a species could just adapt over time to better suit their enviornment whenever they felt like it.

DARWIN’s Reception (cont.) Darwin’s theory of evolution is not inherently or automatically progressive. Darwin’s theory of evolution is not inherently or automatically progressive. –No evolving for the sake of evolving

DARWIN’s Reception Natural Selection- Just about nobady accepted it right away. Natural Selection- Just about nobady accepted it right away. –Lacked theory of heredity –Darwin’s own preferred theory, Blended inheritance, would have made natural selection impossible –Other people thought that natural selection allowed evolution by chance, and so they opposed it

More Objections Gradual evolution, as proposed by Darwin, made evolution of many organs, and wings, impossible. Gradual evolution, as proposed by Darwin, made evolution of many organs, and wings, impossible. Directed variation- tried to refute this counter argument by suggesting that organisms sometimes evolve over a single generation, for no good reason. Directed variation- tried to refute this counter argument by suggesting that organisms sometimes evolve over a single generation, for no good reason.

Yet More Objections Darwin decided to use Lamarck’s giraffe kneck theory to explain heredity. Darwin decided to use Lamarck’s giraffe kneck theory to explain heredity. August Weisman- said that’s wrong August Weisman- said that’s wrong