The Theory of Evolution Lesson

Theory of Evolution

What is Evolution?: the process of biological change by which descendants come to differ from their ancestors (change over time)

Learn Darwin's theory of evolution, vocabulary used, and how fossils identify common ancestors.

I Will...

Analyze and evaluate Darwin's theory of evolution and how evidence of evolution is provided by fossils, biogeography, and homologies.

​We Will...

Win for the Day...

​the process of biological change by which descendants come to

differ from their ancestors.

Evolution

Theories of geologic change set the stage for Darwin’s theory.

​The First Scientists to Propose Evolution

- Biological Evolution by Natural Selection

- defined evolution as "descent with modification"

- the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor

Charles Darwin

Open Ended

In the most simple terms, evolution is _______________

​- 1831 to 1836

- map South America and the Pacific Islands

- Darwin observed differences in species from mainland to islands

​HMS Beagle

• struck by the variation of traits among similar species

• Variation: difference in the physical traits of an individual from those of other individuals in the group to which it belongs.

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​Darwin's Observations

• species found on one island looked different from those on nearby islands and nearest mainland

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​Darwin's Observations

Fill in the Blank

Darwin noted that the species found on

one island looked different from those on nearby islands and that many of the

islands’ species looked different from those on the nearest mainland. This was the first example of ____________.

• led to belief species may somehow be able to adapt to their surroundings.

• Adaptation: a feature that allows an organism to better survive and reproduce in its environment.

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​Darwin's Observations

• Adaptations can lead to genetic changes in populations over time

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​Darwin's Observations

Open Ended

Why do these tortoises of the same species look different?

Learn Darwin's theory of evolution, vocabulary used, and how fossils identify common ancestors.

I Will...

Analyze and evaluate Darwin's theory of evolution and how evidence of evolution is provided by fossils, biogeography, and homologies.

​We Will...

Win for the Day...

• Fossils - The remains or imprint of an organism from a previous geologic time

• focuses on age, its location, and what the environment was like when the organism it came from was alive.

​Evidence of Evolution

• Darwin hypothesized individuals of South American mainland migrated to islands, bases of relationship between mainland and island species

• Biogeography: study of the distribution of organisms around the world.

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Evidence of Evolution

• Darwin’s best evidence came from comparing the body parts of

  different species.

• Homologous Structures: features that are similar in structure but appear in different organisms and have different functions.

• Similarities can lead to common ancestors

Evidence of Evolution

Evidence of Evolution

4. Molecular/DNA: common ancestry by comparing DNA

   1. Similar DNA = Common Ancestor (DNA comes from Parents)

5. Embryology: similarities in development of organisms

   1. Similar DNA/Similar Development = Common Ancestor

Open Ended

What are the 3 types of evidence Darwin used to prove his theory of evolution?

• The evolutionary history for a group of species is called a phylogeny

• can be shown as branching tree diagrams, like a family tree showing how members are related to each other

​Phylogenetic Tree

Ways to Review Evidence

• a diagram based on patterns of shared, derived traits that shows the evolutionary relationships between groups of organisms.

Cladogram

Ways to Review Evidence

Open Ended

What are two ways to review evidence of evolution?

Learn Darwin's theory of evolution, vocabulary used and how fossils identify common ancestors.

I Will...

Analyze and evaluate Darwin's theory of evolution and how evidence of evolution is provided by fossils, biogeography, and homologies.

​We Will...

Win for the Day...

Exit Ticket

This exit ticket is a grade!

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