2. 1. Mutations › Point mutation, inversion, deletion, translocation, addition, etc. › Aneuploidy & polyploidy 2. Gene flow › Genes move from one population to another as individuals emigrate & immigrate 3. Sexual Reproduction › Meiosis creates unique gametes › Random fertilization further increases variation

3.  A population must have genetic variation in order to evolve › Comes from the 3 sources listed earlier  Natural selection acts on the variation in a population › Evolution is a result of natural selection!

4.  The environment selects individuals with the traits most helpful to survive & reproduce more than others in the population › Helpful traits are called adaptations › This increases the frequency of the helpful alleles in the population in the next generation  Over time this can cause large changes in the population & can lead to new species › The large changes are what we call evolution

6.  While amusing to watch, the Simpsons video illustrates a common myth about evolution. › Evolution isn't linear!  Organisms aren't striving to become anything…

7. › This is also related to the misunderstanding that evolution follows a linear path...that everything is trying to be human.  NOT TRUE!  There are many kinds of primates, each adapted to its own environment, just like there are many kinds of felines  Why are there still monkeys if humans evolved from monkeys? This picture is flawed, but commonly used to illustrate human evolution.

8. None of these cats will evolve into a lion.

9. Myth 2: Scientists regularly debate whether evolution occurs.  The only place debate occurs is in social settings, and is philosophical in nature. › If any debate occurs among biologists, its often regarding specifics - such as timing, or what animal is related to what, or when did a creature evolve and what is its origins.  As a THEORY, evolution is supported by a large body of evidence and is used to EXPLAIN new observations.  Biologists would consider it a waste of time to debate this.

10.  There are many scientists who have religious beliefs. One does not necessarily preclude the other.  To say that the two are incompatible is grossly unfair to both scientists and people of faith.

11.  Remember, "strong" and "weak" are relative. › Organisms do not have to be strong to survive.  Read this story about wimpy cuttlefish who pretend to be females: "Cuttlefish Wimps.."Cuttlefish Wimps..

12. PBS EvolutionPBS Evolution - many resources covering the topic - videos, articles, activities and more Darwin's Dangerous IdeaDarwin's Dangerous Idea - 1st in a 7 part series on evolution; begins with Darwin's voyage on the Beagle and how he established the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Nova: Intelligent Design on Trial Nova: Intelligent Design on Trial - A recent covering of a trial in Dover, Delaware, where the school board tried to establish "intelligent design" as part of its science curriculum. The Panda's ThumbThe Panda's Thumb - news archives about evolution and society, focuses on debunking "creation science" and "intelligent design"