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Evolution
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What is evolution? Evolution is the process of biological change by which species of organisms change over time. Evolution is a central theme in all fields of biology today.
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Evolution is when organisms change over time. So, modern organisms descended from ancient ones.
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Evolution is a Theory – Just like Gravity! Evolution is a well supported explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural worldEvolution is a well supported explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world A theory in science is a well tested hypothesis, not just a guessA theory in science is a well tested hypothesis, not just a guess
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Evolutionary Scientists Charles Bonnet mid-1700s First to use term evolution Studied fossils James Hutton 1795 Theory of Geological change Jean-Baptiste Lamarck 1809
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Evolutionary Scientists Charles Lyell Geographical features can be built up or torn down Charles Darwin Thomas Malthus Studied human population growth and the effect it would have on Earth Russell Wallace Gave Darwin the drive to publish his findings
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Carolus Linnaeus 1700s developed a classification system for all types of organisms Grouped organisms based on their similarities System is still in use today
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Georges Buffon Proposed species shared ancestors instead of arising separately Rejected idea of the time that Earth was only 6000 years old…he suggested it was much older His idea was similar to that of Charles Lyell
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Charles Darwin Natural selection was the theory he proposed to explain evolution. He attempted to provide reasons for the biological diversity on Earth. Developed his theory from personal observations and research of other scientists.
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Natural Selection The traits that help an organism survive in a particular environment are “selected” in natural selection
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Charles Darwin (1809-1882) -Sailed around the world 1831-1836 on the British ship H.M.S. Beagle. - Observed finches and tortoises Charles Darwin (1809-1882) -Sailed around the world 1831-1836 on the British ship H.M.S. Beagle. - Observed finches and tortoises
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What did Darwin’s Travels Reveal? The diversity of living species was far greater than anyone had previously known!! These observations led him to develop the theory of evolution!! He observed the land and its inhabitants. Finches and Tortoises
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Jean-Baptiste Lamarck He proposed the idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics: changes in an environment caused an organism’s behavior to change this would lead to greater use or disuse of a structure or organ. the structure would become larger or smaller and would then be passed down to offspring For example: giraffes’ long necks Idea was WRONG!!
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Malthus Malthus Reasoned that if the human population continued to grow unchecked, sooner or later there would be insufficient living space and food for everyone
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