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The Evolution of a Theory Darwin and Evolution
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Outline History of Evolutionary Thought Darwin’s Theory of Evolution –Occurrence of Descent –Biogeography Natural Selection and Adaptation The Evidence of Evolution –Fossil –Biogeographical –Anatomical –Biochemical
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Scientific view prior to Darwin strongly tied to religion, in fact, its purpose was to verify religious dogma.
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Some guiding ideas in science Special creation of the fixity of all species The Scala Naturae
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Mid-Eighteenth Century Taxonomy -- important endeavor during mid-eighteenth century. –Linnaeus –Count Buffon.
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Late Eighteenth Century Cuvier --comparative anatomy Founded Paleontology Proposed Catastrophism
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Natural Theology The Rev. William Paley – looking for perfection precursor to scientific creationism Precursor to ID?
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Life’s a Struggle The Rev. Thomas Malthus – life is a struggle. Populations limited by: –Drought –Famine –Pestilence –War?
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Late Eighteenth Century Lamarck was first biologist to believe evolution occurs and to link diversity with environmental adaptation. –Concluded more complex organisms are descended from less complex organisms. PROPOSED: Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
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Darwin’s Theory of Evolution The theory of evolution is also called descent with modification. Darwin’s Influences: –Charles Lyell Uniformitarianism –Thomas Malthus –Reverend Paley
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Galapagos Islands-Darwin’s Lab
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Galápagos Tortoises and Finches
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Driving Force of Evolution? NATURAL SELECTION –Preconditions Heritable variation Struggle for resources Variations in fitness –Consequences Population better adapted to local environment
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Artificial Selection
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Preconditions Organisms Have Variations Organisms Struggle to Exist Organisms Differ in Fitness
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Result Populations Become Adapted
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What is the evidence for evolution? Fossil Biogeographical Anatomical Embryological Biochemical
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Evolution of the Horse
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Biogeography
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Comparative Anatomy
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Comparative Anatomy 2 Homologous Structures are anatomically similar Analogous Structures serve the same function Vestigial Structures
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Comparative Embryology
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Biochemical Evidence
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Models of Evolution
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Summary History of Evolutionary Thought Darwin’s Theory of Evolution –Occurrence of Descent –Biogeography Natural Selection and Adaptation The Evidence of Evolution –Fossil –Biogeographical –Anatomical –Embryological –Biochemical
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