What’s all the fuss about? Terms and Ideas you need to know. Evolution: What’s all the fuss about? Terms and Ideas you need to know.

Understanding Evolution Evolution is the process of change. A species is a distinct kind of animal… Complex species have developed from simpler species because organisms are always striving to better adapt themselves to their physical surroundings

Evidence of Evolution A species is a distinct classification of a plant or animal Our Place…taxonomy Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Animal, Chordate, Mammal, Primate, Hominid, Homo, Sapiens-Sapiens Some evidence of evolution are homologies and vestigial organs Homologies are structural likenesses between parts of different organisms. Examples: arm = flipper = wing. Vestigial organs are any part of an organism that no longer serves a useful function. Example: human appendix

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) First to use the term Biology as we use it today. Early, first, proponent of evolution. Evolution governed by natural laws. Evolution based on the acquisition of acquired traits. Giraffe has a long neck because it needs to stretch to reach food.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) Charles Darwin was an English scientist who advanced the theory of evolution by proposing natural selection. Conducted his primary research on the Galapagos Islands. His two most famous books were “On the Origins of Species” and “The Descent of Man”

What is this idea called Natural Selection? Animals with certain physical characteristics that help them to survive in their given environment will live longer and produce more offspring. This will lead to that certain characteristic becoming a dominant trait of that species Animals with good “survival equipment” are better “fitted” to live in their physical environment. They will live long and pass this “equipment” on to other members of the species Thus the struggle for existence results in the “survival of the fittest”

WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION? Change in a species over time.

What can trigger these changes? Mutations Random acts sometimes you win…sometimes you lose… Random Genetic Drift How our genes are passed on. Natural Selection Selective Advantage Migration Movement of genes in and out of a population

Mutations A sudden change in the make-up of the gene or chromosome that brings a new trait into existence. Can be helpful or harmful.

Random Genetic Drift When a group passes on it’s genetic code to the next generation not all genes are passed on… We only have so many offspring but many more genetic combinations between you and your mate.

Natural Selection Survival of the fittest… Why is a cheetah fast?

Migration Ever heard of a Grizzlar? http://www.sciencebuzz.org/buzz_tags/grizzlar