1. Introduction to Evolution
Biology I
Spring 2016

2. History of Earth
Atmosphere of the early earth + lightening = __________________________
What are some other ways these molecules are made? _____________________________________
What is the backbone of life because it is capable of linking to many other molecules? ___________
How long did it take to produce the 1st life forms on earth? _____________________
What was needed for them to be able to reproduce? ________________________________________
Life has to organize itself in some way to ________________!

3. History of Earth: Answers
Simple Organic Molecules, Amino Acids--Biomolecules
Volcanic Vents, Space
Carbon
< a billion years
DNA
Reproduce

4. What is Evolution? What is Evolution?
 To pass on these heritable traits, organisms have to copy their DNA and pass it on to their young. Sometimes in nature things are not always perfect, when DNA is being copied errors can occur which modify the DNA code. What is this error called? ______________________ What can this do to the offspring or creature that inherits it?
 If you go back far enough, all living organisms share what?
As seen in the grey wolf example, evolution can be guided by selective breeding' however, two scientists, Charles Darwin & Alfred Wallace discovered there is another driving force for Evolution. What is the other force driving evolution?

5. What is Evolution? Answers
Any change in the heritable traits within a population across generations
Mutation; changes in DNA lead to new body function(s) and/or structures.
DNA and a common ancestor
Reproduction over billions of years; Natural Selection

6. What is Natural Selection?
What does Descent With Modification Mean?
What does Common Descent mean?
Who is Charles Darwin and what are some of his accomplishments?
On his voyage on the HMS Beagle traveling around the world, what are some observations he made? 
What did Darwin propose is capable of making selection on desirable traits, as seen in selective breeding?
What is Natural Selection?

7. What is Natural Selection? Answers
Observable fact that organisms show random changes in traits and behaviors.
That all come from a common ancestor; concluded through the study of fossils, genetics (DNA), comparative anatomy, math, biochemistry, and species distribution.
A naturalist who collected samples; explored common decent; came up with the idea of natural selection
Similarities of species on different continents
Nature caused organisms to adapt to their new environments.
Natural selection is the process by which random evolutionary changes are selected for by nature in a consistent, orderly, non-random way.

8. What is the Evidence For Evolution?
What are the claims made by the theory of biological evolution?
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
B. ___________________________________________________________________________
Is there any evidence that makes these claims true? _______ We call them observable facts.
How do we use Comparative Anatomy as evidence?   
[Not Mentioned in Video] There are various types of anatomical structures we study to determine how closely related organisms are. Define them below:
A. HOMOLOGOUS STRUCTURES: 
B. ANALOGOUS STRUCTURES:
C. VESTIGIAL STRUCTURES:
Explain the comparative anatomy of Cetaceans.
How do we use Embryology as evidence?
How do we use the Fossil Record as evidence?
[Not Mentioned in Video] When studying the Fossil Record to state which species’ bones are more closely related or are older/younger fossils, we use the Law of Superposition. What does this law state?
How do we use DNA (Biochemistry)as evidence?
What is Biogeography and Distribution of Species? How do we use them to understand evolution?

9. What is the Evidence For Evolution? Answers
Two claims of Biological Evolution:
All living things are related; evolving from a common ancestor.
Evolution is powered by natural processes; they can be observed, studied, and understood.
The evidence of these claims are observable facts.
Not in the Video: Define the following:
Homologous Structures: an organ or bone that appears in different animals
Analogous Structures: different species having the same appearance, structure or function but have evolved
Vestigial Structures: A structure in an organism that has lost all or most of its original function in the course of evolution
Comparative Anatomy studies various species’ structures’ similarities and differences
Placentas, live births, milk, warm-blooded, NO gills, have lungs, hair, arm, wrist, finger bones
Similar embryos
Had hind legs, nasal openings that are proof of intermediate species. Oldest fossils had legs and structures consistent with other four-legged mammals.
Not in Video: The Law of Superposition: the oldest strata will be at the bottom of the sequence
DNA is taken from a variety of organisms and is compared to find the closest matches (relatives).
Biogeography: the study of the distribution of species in the world (different continents) and through (geological) time.  We study them to compare and contrast species of similar characteristics.

10. Can Science Explain the Origin of Life?
According the Darwin’s theory of evolution what happens to negative traits over time? ___________________________ What happens to positive traits over time? _____________________ What does this lead to?
What did organisms evolve from 3.5 billion years ago?
How is the chemistry of life special?
___________________________________________________________________________
Where can the building blocks of life be found in their simplest form?
Therefore, they could have existed on earth and fueled chemical evolution. In your own words describe this concept.

11. Can Science Explain the Origin of Life? Answers
The offspring will die out if the mutations do not help them be successful (survive). Positive traits will continue, passed on and lead to increased diverse life forms and species.
Primitive Cellular Colonies
Chemistry of Life is special:
It is organized into metabolic pathways.
It is made up of special molecules.
The building blocks of life are amino acids and sugars.
Labs can create conditions that many thought only happened within organisms. Those experiments show how those molecules mimic amino acids, DNA molecules, etc.