1. What is Evolution?
A change in genetic makeup of a population over time
You do not have evolution without genetics because by nature genetics leads to new features.
Genes -> Adaptations -> Evolution
Theory originally proposed by Charles Darwin
Inspired by observation of bird beaks on Galapogos
“descent with modification” – meaning changes in DNA lead to modifications and are passed down to offspring
Proposed that all species can be traced back to a common ancestor
Organisms share traits with common ancestors

3. Natural Selection
The idea that the organism most suited for survival survives
“Survival of the fittest”

4. Macroevolution vs. Microevolution
Large-scale changes over extended periods of time; happen over billions of years
Example: formation of new species and groups
Microevolution
Small-scale change that affect just one or a few genes and happens over shorter timescales; happen over thousands/millions of years
Microevolution leads to Macroevolution
Technically both part of the same process

5. Fossil Evidence
Anatomical Evidence
Embryological Evidence
Molecular biology
Biogeography
Direct observation

6. Fossil Evidence Document the existence of now-extinct species
Scientists can reconstruct a branching “family tree” from fossils found of different organisms
Problems: missing links

7. Anatomical Evidence
Sharing of unique physical features leads to possible common ancestor
Physical features shared due to evolutionary history (a common ancestor) are said to be homologous
Example: bone structure

8. Analogous features – a physical feature that evolved independently because organisms lived in similar environments or experienced similar selective pressures
This leads to convergent evolution (converge means to come together)
Example: arctic fox and ptarmigan (a bird) change color seasonally. A fox and a bird probably didn’t have common ancestors (at least not closely related) but the trait was favored independently in both species for survival

9. Vestigial organs – organs retained during evolution that may not have a function anymore. Scientists figure out what it may be used for by comparing it to organs in other organisms
Example: appendix

10. Embryological Evidence

11. Molecular Biology All living organisms share:
DNA as genetic material
The same, or highly similar, genetic codes (A, T, C and G)
Same basic process of gene expression (transcription and translation)
Same molecular building blocks (amino acids)
This suggests all living things are descended from a common ancestor

12. Homologous genes
Common genes in related organisms suggesting common ancestors
Example: humans, cows, chickens, and chimpanzees all have a gene that encodes the hormone insulin suggesting this gene was present in their common ancestor
The more commonalities, the more closely related an organism is.
Human and chimpanzee insulin are 98% identical
Human and chicken insulin are 64% identical

13. Biogeography
The geographic distribution of organisms on Earth follows patterns that are best explained by evolution (as well as tectonic plate movement over geologic time)

14. Things that evolved after Pangaea are appropriately distributed

15. Example: evolution of species unique to certain islands like Australia
Example: evolution of species unique to certain islands like Australia. These organisms were able to evolve without competition or exchange with organisms elsewhere so most mammals in Australia are marsupials

16. Direct Observation
People have been able to observe modern-day microevolution
Example: drug-resistant bacteria and pesticide resistant insects