Misconceptions about evolution Some of the most common misinterpretations about what evolution says …. Thanks to the Berkeley Museum website:

The following slides present some of the most common misinterpretations about evolution. You should be able to explain WHY this is the case for each of these.

1. Evolution is “just a theory” 2. Evolution as a theory is “in trouble” 3. The theory of evolution is flawed, but scientists won’t admit it

4. Gaps in the fossil record disprove evolution 5. Evolution isn’t testable or observable

6. Evolution is a theory about the origin of life

7. evolution is represents a ladder of progress; organisms are constantly getting better

8. evolution means that life changes by chance

9. natural selection involves organisms trying to adapt

10. natural selection gives organisms what they need

11. All change in an organism from generation to generation is evolution % of a population of beetles is green; a % is brown One year, a drought limits food supply As a result of this environmental stress, the next year the beetles are smaller After another generation the % of green and brown beetles changes. This is NOT an example of evolution. Why?

How would you answer.. I’ve heard that scientists don’t know how life began, does that make evolution untrue? Evolution is about organisms improving, right? Are people evolving giant heads with enormous brains? If mutations are random, why isn’t evolution random? A lot of coral are dying because the water is getting too warm. Why don’t they just evolve to deal with warm water?