1. Evolution and Genetics
Unit 2

2. Outline Evolution: Theory and Fact Genetics
Mendel’s Experiments
Independent Assortment and Recombination
Biochemical or Molecular Genetics
Cell division
Crossing over
Mutation
Population Genetics and Mechanism of Genetic Evolution
Natural selection
Random Genetic Drift
Gene flow
The Modern Synthesis
Punctuated Equilibrium
Outline

3. Evolution What are some ways we adapt to our environment?
What ways are cultural and what ways are biological?
Evolution

4. Originally, believed humans came from the story of Genesis from the Bible
Creationism
Characteristics of life forms could not change
Biblical scholars James Usher and John Lightfoot traced creation to October, 23, B.C. at 9AM
Evolution

5. In your table groups, read through the Biblical account of creation
Is this a scientific theory? Why or why not?
Activity Time

6. Carolus Linnaeus developed the first comprehensive taxonomy (classification)
Grouped life forms on basis of similarities and differences in their physical characteristics
Evolution

7. Fossil discoveries in 18th and 19th centuries started to raise doubts about creationism
Modified explanation combining creationism and catastrophism arose
Fires, floods, and other catastrophes had destroyed ancient species
After each destructive event, God created again
Evolution

8. Alternative to creationism and catastrophism was transformism or evolution
Species arise through a long and gradual process of transformation or descent with modification
Charles Darwin best known
Theory and Fact

9. Charles Darwin influenced by Sir Charles Lyell, father of geology
Introduced idea of uniformitarianism
Natural forces at work today also explain past events
Cast doubt on theory that Earth was only 6,000 years old
Darwin applied to living things
Theory and Fact

10. Darwin offered theoretical framework for understanding evolution
Proposed the theory of evolution with natural selection as the mechanism to explain diversity, origin, and similarities
Theory is a set of ideas formulated by reasoning from a known factor to explain sometimes.
Natural selection is the selection of favored forms through differential reproduction
Theory and Fact

11. Genetics: science that emerged after Darwin that helps us understand the causes of biological variation
DNA molecules make up genes and chromosomes which are basic hereditary units
Mutations in DNA provide much of the variety on which natural selection operates
Mendelian genetics studies ways chromosomes transit genetic material through generations
Biochemical genetics examines structure, function, and changes in DNA
Population genetics investigates natural selection and other causes of genetic variation, stability, and change in breeding population
Genetics

12. STOP – Activity Time You will be put into 3 groups
Each group will be given a different topic – Mendelian genetics, biochemical genetics, and population genetics
You will look over the information and create a summary of the important points
You will then teach those points to the rest of the class
Everyone will record their notes on the provided graphic organizer
You will only be given today and some time tomorrow to do this
STOP – Activity Time

13. Today’s view on evolution is known as the “modern synthesis”
Combination of Darwin’s theory of evolution and Mendel’s genetic discoveries
Microevolution – genetic changes over few, several, or many generations but without speciation
Macroevolution – refers to larger-scale or more significant changes in a population or species, usually over a long time period which results in speciation
Speciation – the divergence of one ancestral species into two or more descendent species
Modern Synthesis

14. Punctuated Equilibrium
Model of evolution that points to the fact that long periods of stability may be interrupted by evolutionary leaps
Could be caused by extinction of another species followed by invasion by another
Example: Sea species dies out because water dries up, while a closely related species survives in deeper waters. Later, when water levels rise again, protected species goes to first area
Punctuated Equilibrium