1. Biology Chapters 12 - 14 Earth’s Geologic History
Evolution (Darwin’s Theory)
Classification System (Linneaus)

2. Earth’s Geologic Timeline
Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago
Prokaryotic cells were the first life on Earth
Eukaryotic cells (with nucleus) formed 1.5 billion years ago
Fossils indicate that evolution takes place gradually
Fossils are old bones, traces of dead animals, & footprints

3. Darwin’s Origin of the Species
Species come from common ancestors
Theory of Evolution states species change over time (they evolve)
Natural Selection is the mechanism of the Theory of Evolution
The environment selects what organisms will survive and reproduce
Darwin did his research on the Galapagos Islands

4. Natural Selection
Can cause the spread of adaptations through a population
The process of organisms with well suited traits reproduce at a greater rate
Natural Selection can not occur without genetic variation in species
The process by which a species becomes better suited is called adaptation
Scarcity of resources results in competition

5. Classification of Organisms
Developed by Carolus Linnaeus
Taxonomy is a system of grouping organisms
Kingdom is the largest group (most inclusive)
Species is the smallest group (least inclusive)
Scientific names must have two Latin words Example: Homo sapien (common name: humans)

6. Taxonomic Groups 7 levels
K Kingdom largest group (6 Kingdoms)
P Phylum (chordata-vertebrates, invertebrates)
C Class (molluscs, arthropods, mammals, etc)
O Order (smaller groups with characteristics)
F Family (smaller groups yet)
G Genus (smaller groups yet)
S Species (individual groups of organisms that naturally breed in the wild)

7. Binomial Nomenclature
Humans are given the name Homo sapien
Bi (two) – Nomenclature (names)
First name is the Genus
Second name is the species