The document discusses Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution by natural selection. It outlines Darwin's observations on the Galapagos Islands that led him to propose evolution, with individuals exhibiting favorable traits being more likely to survive and pass those traits to offspring. The theory of natural selection provided a mechanism for evolution to operate over time and change populations. The document also reviews evidence that supports the theory of evolution, including fossils, biogeography, and comparative embryology.

1. Evolution and Darwin

2. Evolution The processes that have transformed life on earth from it’s earliest forms to the vast diversity that characterizes it today. A change in the genes!!!!!!!!

3. Old Theories of Evolution Jean Baptiste Lamarck (early 1800’s) proposed: “ The inheritance of acquired characteristics” He proposed that by using or not using its body parts, an individual tends to develop certain characteristics , which it passes on to its offspring .

4. “ The Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics” Example: A giraffe acquired its long neck because its ancestor stretched higher and higher into the trees to reach leaves, and that the animal’s increasingly lengthened neck was passed on to its offspring.

5. Charles Darwin Influenced by Charles Lyell who published “Principles of Geology”. This publication led Darwin to realize that natural forces gradually change Earth’s surface and that the forces of the past are still operating in modern times.

6. Charles Darwin Darwin set sail on the H.M.S. Beagle (1831-1836) to survey the south seas (mainly South America and the Galapagos Islands) to collect plants and animals. On the Galapagos Islands, Darwin observed species that lived no where else in the world. These observations led Darwin to write a book.

7. Charles Darwin Wrote in 1859 : “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection” Two main points: 1. Species were not created in their present form, but evolved from ancestral species. 2. Proposed a mechanism for evolution: NATURAL SELECTION

8. Natural Selection Individuals with favorable traits are more likely to leave more offspring better suited for their environment . Also known as “Differential Reproduction” Example: English peppered moth ( Biston betularia ) - light and dark phases

9. Darwin’s 5 points Population has variations. Some variations are favorable. More offspring are produced than survive Those that survive have favorable traits. A population will change over time.

10. Artificial Selection The selective breeding of domesticated plants and animals by man. Question: What’s the ancestor of the domesticated dog? Answer: WOLF

11. Evidence of Evolution 1. Biogeography: Geographical distribution of species. 2. Fossil Record: Fossils and the order in which they appear in layers of sedimentary rock (strongest evidence).

12. Eastern Long Necked Turtle

13. Evidence of Evolution 4. Comparative embryology: Study of structures that appear during embryonic development. 5. Molecular biology: DNA and proteins (amino acids)

14. Species A group of populations whose individuals have the potential to interbreed and produce viable offspring.

15. Speciation The evolution of new species.