Biological Evolution SWBAT differentiate between evolution, the theory of evolution, and biological evolution; describe the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics and present arguments against it; list several examples that refute the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics; describe the theory of natural selection as presented by Darwin and present arguments against it; describe the mutation theory of evolution and present arguments against it; describe the mutation-selection theory of evolution and present arguments against it

Biological Evolution Theory of Evolution Random changes throughout history have changed the universe (or the creatures within it) Biological evolution (aka organic evolution) The change of one kind of organism into another kind of organism

Biological Evolution Why is biological evolution only guesswork? There is no observation of the changes Science deals with observables, so it cannot prove any evolution No missing link has been found

How Biological Evolution Supposedly Took Place Lamarck’s Theory Inheritance of Acquired Traits Characteristics were acquired due to the organism’s environment. The loss of a feature can also happen due to disease or lack of use. These acquired traits would then be passed on to offspring

Stretching for an Explanation How does the information in this facet disprove Lamarck’s theory? August Weismann chopped off mice tails, but the offspring still had tails. When humans cut dogs ears or tails their offspring still have long ears and tails. Giraffes necks have not de-stretched even though they no longer need to eat off high trees. In the Padaung tribe, each woman needs to stretch her neck, it’s not passed down.

How Biological Evolution Supposedly Took Place Charles Darwin Natural Selection In every species there are more young produced than can be supported (some have to die) Individuals will compete for necessities of survival (water, food, shelter) There are some individuals that compete more effectively Individuals with traits that help them win will survive and reproduce (survival of the fittest) Those individuals will pass on their traits creating organisms best suited to survive.

Natural Selection at Work Why is the changing of color in the pepper moths not biological evolution? The color change was not due to a newly created gene. The gene existed before, but was rarely passed on because the moth’s died quickly.

How Biological Evolution Supposedly Took Place Hugo De Vries Evolution by Mutation Only mutations can produce the necessary genetic changes for biological evolution. Mutations create new genes that are passed on.

Modern Evolutionary Theory What is the mutation selection theory? Neo-Darwinism – combination of Darwin and De Vries theories Mutations supply new traits Organisms produce more offspring than can survive Selection allows only those with the best traits to survive