 Objective:  Describe Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection  Predict how species will evolve over time based on given environmental conditions  Journal:  What does it mean to evolve?

A. 1 st to propose that organisms change over time (1809) B. The way they changed was because of use and disuse

C. Theory of acquired characteristics 1. organisms acquire traits during their lifetime 2. traits you acquire could be passed on to offspring D. Believed organisms evolved toward perfection E. LAMARCK WAS WRONG IN HOW EVOLUTION OCCURS

A. Darwin was NOT the first person to propose evolution… B. He did propose a way evolution happens called Natural Selection C. Darwin’s ideas began during his voyage on the HMS Beagle where he collected and studied animals

D. Upon his return to England, Darwin spent over 20 years analyzing his findings and working on his theory of HOW evolution occurs 1. Proposed Natural Selection – Darwin publishes “The Origin of Species”

1. It is NOT a careless suggestion or reason why things may have happened 2. It IS a well-supported, testable explanation of phenomena that occur in the natural world 3. What began as hypothesis of how life has changed over time is now supported by a huge body of EVIDENCE

1. Group of individuals of the same species all living in the same area 2. Example: All of the black bears in NJ

1. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce

A. In the wild, each individual organism’s life goal is to be able to survive long enough to reproduce and pass on their genes. B. Individuals that are best suited to their environment are more likely to have babies with the same beneficial traits as they do. Therefore, over time that trait will become more common in the population A. This is known as natural selection

A. Overproduction: There must be more individuals born that can survive.

2. Variation Among Offspring: Differences between individuals that can be selected for or against depending on the environment.

3. A struggle to survive

1. Those that survive are the most fit (able to survive and reproduce) 2. Fitness is the result of adaptations – inherited characteristics that increase an organism’s chance of survival

A. Over time, natural selection produces organisms with different structures B. Today’s species look different from their ancestors C. Each species descended with changes over time from a common ancestor

D. Implies that all living things are related to one another E. Therefore there must be a common ancestor

 Objective:  To observe evidence that supports the Theory of Evolution  Journal:  Can an individual organism evolve? Why or Why not?

A. All fossil evidence, taken together, shows how organisms have changed

A. Homologous structures 1. Structures found in different organisms that have same origin and similar anatomy

B. Vestigial structures 1. Organs that are no longer used and reduced in size 2. Examples: Appendix, tail bone (coccyx), muscles of the ears

A. Vertebrate embryos show similar pattern of development  Why??

A. Organisms in different parts of the world, but with similar environments, have similar traits

A. All living things share the same basic DNA B. The more DNA in common, the more closely related 2 things are Approx. 98.8% of DNA is same in humans and chimps