EVIDENCE FOR THE THEORY Evolution

Evidence for Evolution 1) Developmental Biology  Embryology ( study of embryo’s) After fertilization in the first few stages of development all embryo’s look the same Confirms COMMON ANCESTOR  DNA –code of life Matching code in different organisms means they have a COMMON ANCESTOR

Evidence Continued 2) Comparative Anatomy – (Evolutionary Biology)  Looking at different organisms physical structures (bones) we find the SAME BONES IN THE SAME PLACE--not the same function!

Homologous and Vestigial Homologous Structures- Physical structures that are similar between different organisms.  Provides evidence for evolution because it shows that different organisms share the shame physical trait (same bones in the arm). The seemingly unrelated organisms must share a common ancestor. Vestigial Structures- Physical structures that an organism has but doesn’t need.  Provides evidence for evolution because it shows that an ancestor of that organism had used the structure but through evolution the current organism has no use for it.

Evidence Continued 3) Anthropology  We can compare early hominid fossils to modern humans to find similarities. We fill in the gaps of our species history  Find COMMON ANCESTORY

Evidence continued 4) Paleontology – Fossils and Strata  Simplest organisms in the oldest rock  Complex organisms in younger rocks  Shows change over time!!  Helps identify COMMON ANCESTOR

Evolution By Natural Selection Natural Selection is the mechanism by which evolution happens Takes a LONG time ~ 1000 generations Time between generations depends on the organisms reproductive rate  1 Human generation = 20 years  1 Bacteria generation = 20 Min.

Catalyst Using the words mutation, variation and adaptation. Explain how that chameleon from yesterday developed the ability to change color

Evolution by Natural Selection Cont… Evolution is created by changes within the DNA of an organism resulting in a NEW SPECIES Mutation-  Bad  Death, lose the game of evolution  Good  Aid in survival, get passed along to offspring Variation- populations of the same species w/differences  Some organisms have the beneficial mutation some don’t Adaptation– a beneficial trait or characteristic present in an organisms DNA that aids in survival

Adaptations come about by… Avoidance of Predation – Need adaptations to avoid predators (camouflage, running fast, spikes, etc) Need for Food—Need adaptations that allow you to eat (Sharp teeth, claws, etc…) Need for a Mate– Adaptations that make you more appealing to potential mates (colors in birds, Sound in insects) Competition in all of these areas acts as a strong pressure forcing along the process of natural selection.

Competition for Resources Wild populations are relatively stable in size because they are limited by the availability of resources.  Remember your lab….  What happened if there were to many predators in a given hunting area?  What happened to the prey population if there weren't enough predators?  What resources would have stopped the prey population from growing out of control? Competition for resources insures that only those that CAN survive get to reproduce. Only organisms with the most beneficial traits will survive. Others get eaten or die off.

Competition Video Questions:  Who was competing for resources?  Who won? Why?  Why would the lions risk their lives to catch the water buffalo?  What are some of the adaptations that the water buffalo have that makes them better able to survive?

Adaptations develop out of these selective pressures Predators and prey develop camouflage both get faster

Competition for a mate

Limits on Population Size  If a population size gets too big they will exhaust their food resources and the population will decrease (die from hunger)  If the population grows to large it also leaves them prone to the spread of disease. The bigger the population the faster illness spreads.

Evolution by Artificial Selection Humans select for the desired traits and characteristics of a species

Exit ticket: (turned in on ¼ sheet of paper) With your group:  Discuss how the different varieties of cabbage have developed Using the words, adaptation, trait, evolution and artificial selection describe how broccoli evolved from the wild mustard plant.