1. The Theory of Evolution
AP Biology
Chapter 17

2. Recall:
In science, theories are statements/models that have been tested and confirmed many times.
Important properties of theories:
Explain a wide variety of data and observations
Can be used to make predictions

3. In science, the term “theory” does not express doubt.
Theory represents ideas and explanations that have been confirmed through tests and observations.
The theory of evolution remains one of the most useful theories in biology because it explains many questions and observations.

4. What is Evolution?
Defined as the accumulation of inherited changes within populations over time.
Population – group of individuals of one species that live in the same area
i.e. all organisms have descended from common ancestors with modifications, over long periods of time

5. Some questions that can be answered by evolution.
Why are there bones and fossil evidence of creatures that no longer exist? What happened to them?
Why do so many different animals have the same structures?
Ex. The arm bones in a human are the same bones as a flipper in a whale.

7. Why do organisms have structures they no longer use?
Ex. The appendix in humans, non-functioning wings in penguins, pelvic bones in whales

8. Why do so many organisms’ morphology and anatomy follow the same plan?
Why is the sequence of DNA very similar in some groups of organisms but not in others?
Why do the embryos of animals look very similar at an early age?

9. Why do males often develop elaborate traits/characteristics despite the possible effect on their survival?

10. The Theory of Evolution is considered a Unifying Theory of Biology, because it answers many of these questions and offers an explanation for the data.

11. Lamarke’s Theory of Acquired Characteristics
Hypothesized that an organism gains or loses features if they were not used.
Use/Disuse
Tendency toward perfection
Then, these traits would be passed on to your offspring.
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
Ex. A giraffe stretched its neck to reach higher leaves, stretched neck would be inherited by offspring.

14. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Charles Darwin – naturalist
He observed many species on trips to places like Galapagos Islands
Particularly interested in the finches
Wrote “The Origin of Species”

15. Animals in the Galapagos Islands

16. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Variation exists among individuals in a species.
Individuals of species will compete for resources (food and space).
Some competition would lead to the death of some individuals while others would survive.
Individuals that had advantageous variations are more likely to survive and reproduce.

17. Natural Selection VISTA Variation Inheritance Selection Time
Adaptation

18. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
This process = Natural Selection
Favorable variations = Adaptations
Example of the Finches:
Looked the same except for the beak size and shape.
Concluded that all the finches were descendents of the same original population.
Shape of the beaks were adaptations for eating a particular type of food.

19. Artificial Selection
Choosing certain traits and breeding only individuals that display the desired traits
Breeds of dogs
Plant varieties
Ex. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens – all the same species
Occurs in just a few generations

20. Different dog breeds are examples of how selection can change the frequency of alleles in a population.

21. Evidence of Evolution Fossil Evidence
If today’s species came from ancient species, then we should find remains of those species that no longer exist.
There are tons of fossils of creatures that no longer exist but bear striking resemblance to creatures that do exist today.
Carbon-dating: gives an age of a sample based on the amount of radioactive carbon
Fossil Record – creates a geologic time scale

22. Evidence of Evolution Evidence of Common Ancestry
Homologous Structures – structures that are embryologically similar, but have different functions (p.378)
Ex. Wing of bird and forearm of human
Vestigial organs – functionless parts
Ex. Snakes have small pelvic and limb bones
Ex. Humans have a tail bone
Biochemistry and DNA
Observation of species change (wolves/dogs, peppered moths)

23. Examples of Evolution Industrial Melanism
Dog Breeds (artificial selection)
Bacteria and Antibiotics
Elephant Tusks

24. Evolution – on a small scale
Bacterial Resistance
Bacteria life cycle – very short!
Bacteria continually evolving – even inside the bodies of hosts.
Bacteria develop genetic resistance through mutations and from acquiring new genes from plasmids or viruses.
Surviving bacteria that resist antibiotics pass on their genes to future generations.
Poor prescribing practices and poor patient compliance are factors that determine bacteria resistance.

25. The Synthetic Theory of Evolution
Darwin knew that individuals transmitted traits to the next generation.
What Darwin didn’t know:
How or Why individuals vary within a population.
During the 30’s and 40’s, biologists combined the principles of genetics with Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection
The unified explanation of evolution is known as the synthetic theory of evolution.

26. The Synthetic Theory of Evolution
Explains Darwin’s observation of variation among offspring in terms of mutation.
Mutation provides the genetic variability on which natural selection acts.
Universally accepted and constantly studied by scientists.

27. Convergent Evolution
Independent evolution of similar structures in distantly related organisms
Ex. Aardvarks, anteaters, and pangolins
Resemble one another in lifestyle and structural features
Strong, sharp claws to open ant/termite mounds and long, sticky tongues to catch insects
However, they evolved from 3 distantly related orders of mammals.

28. aka: analogy

29. Phylogeny The evolutionary history of a group of related species.
Phylogenetic trees can be constructed to show relationships:
Diagrams showing lines of descent

30. Evolutionary hypotheses can be tested experimentally
Guppy Experiment – Reznick and Endler
Observed that different streams have different kinds and numbers of fishes that prey on guppies
Differences in predation are correlated with many differences in guppies:
Male coloration, behavior, age and size at sexual maturity, number of offspring per litter, size of offspring, and the frequency of reproduction

31. Sexual Selection
Natural selection that acts on an organism’s ability to mate
Selection where organisms go to extreme lengths to attract a mate.
Sometimes results in features that are harmful to the individuals survival.

32. Examples of Sexual Selection
Peacock image courtesy of Rock Maple Farm. Elephant seals image courtesy of Craig’s Homepage.

33. Review Questions – Chapter 17
Questions p
Post Test # 1-6, 8-15
Review Questions # 1-4, 7
YMTC # 5