1. Evolution

2. Creation Theories

3. The variety of life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDdaStk5SEM

4. Linnaeus

5. Fossils

6. Fossil Hunters

7. Anaximander
Anaximander – a Greek scholar from the 5th century BC tried to explain where life came from without the use of supernatural
He postulated life on land came from the sea.
He suggested climate change as a stimulus
He was aware of the existence of fossils

8. 18th/19th century thinkers
Charles Linnaeus
Jean Baptiste Lamarck
Thomas Malthus
Sir Charles Lyell
Charles Darwin
Alfred Russell Wallace

9. Background
Fossils – it was popular to collect them and it was apparent that sea creatures were being found up mountains etc.
People were beginning to understand that geological change was slow
Geologists could see patterns in the strata of rocks
This was the Age of Enlightenment: people were questioning accepted wisdoms
The diversity of life was being appreciated
Factors affecting populations size were beginning to be grasped.

10. 1st Theory JB Lamarck (note he’s French)

11. What is wrong with Lamarck’s theory?
Give examples of how you know it is wrong.
What other information do you know that might be relevant?

12. Charles Darwin
Publication prompted by the work of Alfred Wallace in Malaysia

13. Dawin’s finches

14. Darwin’s influences Thomas Malthus Theory of population
‘The struggle for existence’ we call it competition
Charles Lyell Principles of Geology
The age of the earth and the slow changes of geological time
Fossils

15. Darwin’s Key concepts
Survival of the fittest (attributed to Herbert Spencer): only individuals with the necessary features will survive in an environment.
Natural Selection
There is variation
Variation leads to differences in success and therefore amount of young produced
The traits of the more successful are inherited by their young
Some traits become more prevalent in population – a subtle change over time occurs

16. Problems at the time 1. Creationism
2. No one knew the mechanism, i.e. genes
3. The immense age of the earth was not an accepted fact.
4. The slow progress of evolution in most species

17. Evidence Microevolution
House sparrows from Europe have adapted to US harsh winters
Rabbits from southern Europe have adapted to cold in UK – took about 400 years
Insects and rats have evolved resistance to pesticides
Bacteria have evolved resistance to antibiotics

18. Peppered moths
How does this demonstrate fitness?

19. Sex Sexual selection Choose the strongest fittest mate to breed with
Males of many species demonstrate their fitness with ridiculous shows of colour etc. 6M

20. Adaptation
Features develop that fit the habitat

21. Coevolution Species develop alongside each other
Flowering plants and flying insects h0
Oe4

22. Missing links in fossil record
Postulated and gradually being filled
Ida an early fossil primate linking the different primate groups

23. Missing links
Archaeopteryx – showing features of birds and dinosaurs

24. Summary Competition controls population sizes
Animals adapt to their environment – best adapted survive and pass on their genes. Poorly adapted die out Survival of the fittest
Sexual reproduction leads to variation
If the environment changes different features may be more desirable and in turn individuals possessing these become more successful natural selection
This leads to changes in populations called evolution
In very stable systems creatures become increasingly specialised.

25. Where are we now? Theory Mechanisms Challenges
Evolution is universally accepted by scientists
The alternative Intelligent design has no serious scientific rigour
Theory
The role of genes is increasingly fully understood
Mechanism of survival of the fittest and natural selection underpin our understanding of the interactions of all life on earth.
Mechanisms
Scientists still debate the exact mechanisms
Some believe it is always slow, others that certain situations lead to rapid changes
Has been abused by extreme political organisations to justify racist policies.
Challenges

26. Creationism is not an alternative theory – it is a belief to which you are entitled

27. For end of partial 2
You need to be able to give an overview of your Scientific Ideas talk
You can present this to me in your groups.
It would be helpful to have the outline or title of the majority of slides to be included
You need to know the names of the main protagonists
You need to be able to explain a couple of points
It does not have to be perfect to get 100%
I need to feel you’ve done some work and know what you’re talking about.