1. Evolution Final Thoughts

2. Thought Experiment Think about blue-skinned and 6 fingered humans! Is evolution usually observable in one human lifetime?????Think about blue-skinned and 6 fingered humans! Is evolution usually observable in one human lifetime????? Dillon, 2006

3. Final Point #1: Do individual organisms evolve?? Evolution refers to a change in a population over time.Evolution refers to a change in a population over time. (The characteristics of a population can change over time. A population evolves, a population “adapts”, a population changes.)(The characteristics of a population can change over time. A population evolves, a population “adapts”, a population changes.) An individual either “survives” or “dies”.An individual either “survives” or “dies”. An individual organism cannot “adapt”; it cannot change the genes (therefore the traits) it inherits.An individual organism cannot “adapt”; it cannot change the genes (therefore the traits) it inherits. A population “evolves”, when certain individual organisms have perished while others have survived & reproduced.A population “evolves”, when certain individual organisms have perished while others have survived & reproduced.

4. Final Point #2: Why sex? Q: Sex requires more energy, special organs, etc, So why bother?Q: Sex requires more energy, special organs, etc, So why bother? A: Genetic Diversity allows for greater survival chance of population.A: Genetic Diversity allows for greater survival chance of population. Does genetic diversity benefit individual organism or population?Does genetic diversity benefit individual organism or population? Dillon, 2006

5. #4: Mutations: Good or Bad? Mutations are ultimate source of genetic diversity. Sex merely creates new combinations of the alleles (gene forms) which already exist.Mutations are ultimate source of genetic diversity. Sex merely creates new combinations of the alleles (gene forms) which already exist. Mutations (changes in DNA) generate new alleles. (gene forms)Mutations (changes in DNA) generate new alleles. (gene forms) Are mutations beneficial or detrimental to the species? To the individual organism?Are mutations beneficial or detrimental to the species? To the individual organism?

6. “Origin Debates” True – False: The Theory of Evolution is science’s attempt to explain how life originated on Earth.True – False: The Theory of Evolution is science’s attempt to explain how life originated on Earth. Dillon, 2006

7. Final Final Point! What did Francis of Assisi believe?What did Francis of Assisi believe?