Foothill High School Science Department Principles of Evolution Early Idea’s Darwin Was Not The First

Foothill High School Science Department Enquiring Minds Want To Know: Did The Theory of Evolution Just Pop Into Darwin’s Head? If not Where Did It Come From?

Foothill High School Science Department New Ideas Build From Old Ideas I am Carolus Linnaeus, and in 1735 I published “Systema Naturae” a new system of classification based on an organisms physical characteristics I am Carolus Linnaeus, and in 1735 I published “Systema Naturae” a new system of classification based on an organisms physical characteristics Carolus Linnaeus I am Count Georges Buffon, and in 1749 I published “Historie Naturelle” which proposed new ideas about relationships between organisms. I am Count Georges Buffon, and in 1749 I published “Historie Naturelle” which proposed new ideas about relationships between organisms. Count Buffon I am Erasmus Darwin. Grandfather to Charles Darwin. In 1795 I published “Zoonomia” where I discussed how organisms could evolve through competition. Erasmus Darwin I am Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, and in 1809 I published “Philosphie Zoologique” where I proposed how evolution could occur in response to environmental change over long periods of time Jean-Batiste Lamarck

Foothill High School Science Department Carolus Linnaeus – Published “Systema Naturae” – System of classification which is the foundation of our current system – Based on similarities in structure – Rejected “immutability” – Thought organisms changed in response to their environment

Foothill High School Science Department Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon – Published “Historie Naturelle” – Based on fossils, proposed species shared ancestors – Rejected Earth was 6,000 years old – suggested much older

Foothill High School Science Department Erasmus Darwin Grandfather of Charles Darwin Grandfather of Charles Darwin – Published “Zoonomia” – Proposed all living things were descended from a common ancestor More complex life forms arose from less complex life forms More complex life forms arose from less complex life forms

Foothill High School Science Department Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Publishes “Philosphie Zoologique” Publishes “Philosphie Zoologique” – Year of Darwin's Birth – Proposed organisms changed in response to their environment Those changes were passed to offspring Those changes were passed to offspring – Inheritance of Acquired Traits Giraffes Giraffes Blacksmiths sons Blacksmiths sons

Foothill High School Science Department Georges Cuvier French Zoologist French Zoologist Believed the Earth was older than 6,000 years Believed the Earth was older than 6,000 years – Based on his study of fossils Saw changes in different layers Saw changes in different layers Different layers contained specific sets of fossils Different layers contained specific sets of fossils He observed many organisms that no longer existed He observed many organisms that no longer existed – Developed the concept of extinction through Catastrophism

Foothill High School Science Department Cuvier & Catastrophism Catastrophic Events Catastrophic Events – Natural Disasters – Floods – Volcanic Eruptions Causes species to become extinct Causes species to become extinct Appearance of new species followed movement into areas where old species became extinct. Appearance of new species followed movement into areas where old species became extinct.

Foothill High School Science Department James Hutton & Gradualism Scottish Geologist – 1790’s Scottish Geologist – 1790’s Proposed that landforms change gradually over time Proposed that landforms change gradually over time – Erosion – Sedimentation – Earthquakes Expanded Earths age to millions of years Expanded Earths age to millions of years

Foothill High School Science Department Charles Lyell & Uniformitarianism English Geologist & author of “Principles of Geology” published in 1830, which Darwin took aboard the HMS Beagle English Geologist & author of “Principles of Geology” published in 1830, which Darwin took aboard the HMS Beagle Uniformitarianism Uniformitarianism – Geologic processes are uniform in rate throughout time

Foothill High School Science Department

Uniformitarianism