EVOLUTION

THEORIES OF ORIGIN OF LIFE

 . THEORY OF SPECIAL CREATION

 2 THEORY OF PANSPERMIA(COSMOZOIC THEORY)

Early Greek Philosophers thought that units called ‘spores’ or ‘Pansperms’ came on the
earth along with meteorites and they might have evolved into the present day forms.

3. THEORY OF SPONTANEOUS GENERATION :-

It was also believed that living organisms (life) arose from decaying matter like straw.

But Louis Pasteur demonstrated that life can arise only from pre-existing life. He
showed that no life arose from the heat killed yeast broth that was kept in a pre sterlised flask ,kept
closed , while new living organisms arose from the heat killed yeast that was kept in the flask left open
in the air.

Theory of chemical evolution

Proposed by A I OPARIN & J B H HALDANE :-

i) The first life form could have come from the pre-existing non-living organic molecules (like
amino acids, RNA ,Proteins etc)

ii) The formation of life was preceded by chemical evolution i.e. formation of diverse organic
molecules from the simple inorganic compounds.

iii) The conditions on the earth that favoured chemical evolution were :- Very high temperature
,Volcanic storms and reducing atmosphere that contained methane , ammonia, water vapour
etc.

EXAMPLES OF NATURAL SELECTION

(Examples of Evolution due to Anthropogenic actions )

1. INDUSTRIAL MELANISM :-

i) Pre –Industrial Revolution :- In a collection of moths in England, it was observed that there
were more white-coloured /dull grey -winged moths on trees in the urban areas before
industrial revolution (i.e.1850s) , when the trees used to be covered with lichens. The white
coloured moths could survive better in the grey back ground.

ii) Post Industrial Revolution :- After Industrial Revolution , the collections in 1920s , indicated
more dark winged moths in the same area. The explanation for this is that the shoot covered
the trees and melanic moths (Dark coloured) could escape the predators by camouflage.

It shows that in a mixed polulation , individuals that are better adapted survive and reproduce in large
numbers and increase the population size.

2. Resistance to Chemicals :-
i) Use of insecticides and pesticides has resulted in resistant – varieties of organisms in a
less time.
Example :- DDT Resistance in mosquitoes
 ii) It is also true for microbes (bacteria) . Many antibiotic resistant varieties of disease
causing bacteria are appearing in a short period.

ARTIFICIAL SELECTION :-

i) Man has domesticated many wild animals and plants .

ii) He has also selected many plants and animals for agriculture , horticulture , sport or security.

iii) He has raised a number of high yielding breeds of animals (like cows,buffalo,poultry birds etc.)
andcrops ( like varieties of wheat, rice , maize,pulses etc.)

ADAPTIVE RADIATION - (Divergent Evolution )

It is an evolutionary process in which an ancestral stock gives rise to new species in a given
geographical area, starting from a point and literally radiating to other geographical areas or habits.

Examples :- Darwin’s Finches , Australian Marsupials

Darwin’s Finches :-

i) These were small black birds which Darwin observed in Galapagos islands.

ii) There were many varieties in the same island

iii) He reasoned that after originating from common ancestral seed – eating stock, the finches must
have radiated to different geographical areas & undergone adaptive changes, especially in the
type of beak.

iv) Living in isolation for long , the new kinds of finches emerged that could function and survive
in the new habitat.

Australian marsupials :-

 A number of marsupials( pouched mammals) each different from the other, evolved from an
ancestral stock with in Australia.

Evolution :- Different Types

1. Divergent Evolution :-It is the evolutionary process where the same structure develops along
different directions as adaptations to different needs in new habitats. (Adaptive radiation)
( Eg. Explanation by Homologous organs)

2. Convergent Evolution :-It is the evolutionary process where anatomically different structures
in different groups of organisms evolve towards the same function ( Eg. Explanation by
Analogous organs)
3. Parallel Evolution :- Parallel evolution occurs when two species evolve independently of each
other, maintaining the same level of similarity. Parallel evolution usually occurs between
unrelated species that do not occupy the same or similar niches in a given habitat.

MUTATION THEORY OF EVOLUTION

 (Proposed By Hugo de vries by working over Evening primerose ( Oenothera lamarkiana )

He proposed that mutation causes evolution and caused it saltation i.e one single step large mutation.
Mutation is defined as the sudden heritable change in the genetic constitution of an organism.
Difference between Darwin’s theory & Mutation theory :-
1. Darwinian variations are small and directional while De Vries’ mutations are random and
directionless.
2. A/C to Darwin evolution is gradual and slow process & occurs over a number of generations.
A/c to De Vries a large single step mutation(Called saltation) causes speciation.
Demerit of Darwin’s Theory :-
Darwin laid so much emphasis over the variations for the process of evolution . But he could not
explain the source of vatiations in his theory.
With the progress in genetics, the sources of variation were explained and Darwin’s theory was
modified.
Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution :-
This is the most accepted theory of evolution in which the origin of species is based on the interaction
of genetic variation and natural selection.
Natural selection causes allele frequencies of a population to change. Depending upon the traits
favoured in a population, natural selection can produce three different effects.
1. Stabilising selection
2. Directional selection
3. Disruptive selection.

1. Stabilisation :- in which
more individuals acquire
mean character value , i.e.
variation is much reduced.
2. Directional change :- in
which more individuals
acquire value other than the
mean character value. If
directional selection operates
for many generations , an evolutionary trend within the population results.
3. Disruption :- in which more individuals acquire peripheral character value at both ends of the
distribution curve.
HARDY- WEINBERG PRINCIPLE :- It states that under certain conditions of stability , the allele
frequencies of a population are stable and remain constant from generation to generation in sexually
reproducing organisms. This stability is called genetic equilibrium or Hardy – Weinberg equilibrium.
The sum total of all the allelic frequencies is one and is represented as :
( p + q)2 = 1 ; p2 + 2pq+q2= 1
Disturbance in this genetic equilibrium is considered as evolutionary change.
FACTORS AFFECTING HARDY-WEINBERG EQUILIBRIUM :-
1. Gene Migration
2. Genetic Drift
3. Mutations
4. Recombinations
5. Natural Selection
 1. GENE MIGRATION :- When some individuals of a population migrate to other populations , or
when certain individuals come into a population , the gene frequencies of the given population
change ( i.e. some genes are lost in the first case and added in the second case)
If gene migration occurs a number of times , gene flow occurs.
2. GENETIC DRIFT :- Random changes in the allelic frequencies of a population occurring by
chance , constitute genetic drift. The change in the allelic frequency may become so drastically
different that they form a new species.
The original drifted population becomes the founder and the changes in the phenotype
and genotype of the progeny , constitute the Founder effect.
3. MUTATIONS :- Though Mutations are random & occur at very slow rates ,they are sufficient to
create considerable genetic variation for speciation to occur.
4. RECOMBINATION :- New combination of genes occur due to crossing over in meiosis during
gametogenesis
5. NATURAL SELECTION :-
Natural Selection is the most critical evolutionary process that leads to changes in allele
frequencies and favours or promotes adaptation as a product of evolution.
Coupled to increased reproductive success , natural selection makes the
population entirely different from the original population i.e. speciation.
NAME TIMEPERIO BRAIN REMARKS
D CAPACITY

DRYOPITHECUS(Commo 10-15mya East Africa,Asia,closely related to

n ancestor of Ape & Man) Chimpanzee.

RAMAPITHECUS(Foreru 10-15mya Shivalik Hills,Erect posture,Small Canine.

nner of Hominid
Evolution )

AUSTRALO PITHECINES 2mya 500cc African Ape Man, Height-1.5 m

Homo habilis 2mya 650-800 cccc Tool Maker ,Community Life, did not eat
meat.

Homo erectus 1.5mya 900 cc Knew how to use fire, Larger teeth , ate
(Java Man ) meat.

Neanderthal man 100000- 1400 cc East & Central Asia, Used Hides to
40000 ya protect their body, Burried their dead.

Homo sapiens Fossils 1650 CC The fossil modern man (Cro-magnon

Man )

Homo sapiens sapiens 75000- 1650 CC Spread all over the globe, Learned to
10000 cultivate plant & domesticate
( Modern Man) Years ago animals.Prehistoric cave art developed
about 1800 years ago.Agriculture
started around 10,000 years ago.