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What is Evolution?
Evolution
Refers to changes in the inherited characteristics of a species
over time
Theories of Evolution
Propose that existing life forms have evolved from earlier
forms over long periods of time
Why is evolution important in the study of life (biology)?
Explains why there are differences among the millions of
species of living things on Earth
Explains why species in the past (now extinct) were very
different from species found on Earth today
Explains the diversity of life on Earth (biodiversity) as well as
the relationships between all living things
Lamarcks Hypothesis:
An Early Idea of Evolution
In 1809, Jean Baptiste de Lamarck
proposed a hypothesis for why evolution
occurs:
Hypothesis: Maybe characteristics (or
traits) developed or acquired during life
are inherited by their offspring.
He called his hypothesis the
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
For example:
muscles built by exercise
giraffes stretching their necks
Why was Lamarcks idea rejected?
Marine Iguana
Galapagos Tortoises
Flightless Cormorant
Darwins Finches
Darwins Finches
Darwin observed 13 similar species of finches, with
variations in body size, beak shape, and eating habits.
Darwin hypothesized that all 13 species descended from
a similar species of finch found on the mainland.
Like all living things, finches produce more offspring than
could possibly survive.
In a large population, there must be competition for food,
habitats, and other resources. Those best adapted are
most likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their traits.
Finches with the best beak shapes for the available food
survive longer and therefore produce more offspring.
Darwin reasoned that after many generations, these
groups of finches might become separate species.
Darwins Finches
Dilophosaurus tracks
Laetoli hominid footprints
180 million years old
3.2 million years old
Tanzania, East Africa
General Review
If you can answer these questions, you remember the
basics of evolution: