Natural Selection Notes

Natural Selection: Bill Nye

Answer the following 7 questions.

1. Define the term evolution. (p.286)2. Define natural selection. (p.293) 3. Discuss the following four major influences that

Darwin took into consideration when forming his theory: Lyell’s ideas about geology (p. 289), Artificial Selection (p. 292), The work of Malthus concerning population (p. 293), and Darwin’s observations during his voyage on the Beagle. (p.290-291)

4. Explain how overproduction, variation, competition, adaptations, and fitness fit into Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection. (p.292-297)

5. Explain how changes in genes cause variations within populations that lead to natural selection. (p.280)

6. Explain how the distribution of sickle cell anemia and the resistance to antibiotics and insecticides provide evidence for natural selection. (p.180, 278, & 289)

7. Describe the endosymbiotic theory of eukaryotic cells’ evolution. (p.258-260)

Natural Selection, Continued

Fossils

Fossils – any sign of earlier life, usually found in the soil or sedimentary rockShow evolution of lifeShow change in our Earth’s and it’s inhabitants over

time.Relocated due to natural disasters, dated wrongMay have missing partsNot all environments are suitable for fossil formation

Paleontologists – scientists who study fossils

The Galapagos Islands

Fossils, Continued……

Creationists believe…The most obvious and gravest objection against the

theory of evolution is…• Fossil record has failed to back it up• Archaeopteryx (believed to be half bird, half reptile)

provides a tremendous challenge to the notation of organic evolution

• Frauds and Turkeys (archaeoraptor)

Fossils: Galapagos Islands

Evolution vs Creationism

Homologous Structures

Similar structures with different functions Evolutionists believe…

As different groups of vertebrates evolved, their bodies evolved differently

Similarities in bone structure suggest that all vertebrates share a common ancestor

Homologists – the study of similar structures. They are the predecessors, not evolutionists

Homologous Structures, Cont…

Creationists argument Richard Owen (most famous anatomist of Darwin’s time) Pointed toward a common archetype or design Did not believe in “decent with modification” “Barra’s Blunder” in 1990

• Compared a 1953 to a 1954 Corvette• Compared a 1954 to a 1955 Corvette• Claimed that is was “obvious there could have been decent with

modification”• Based his whole argument on this claim• Failed to recognize the fact the engineers had drawn up plans for

these model automobiles.

Embryo Development

Evolutionists claim that…At some time all vertebrate embryos have a tail

• Remains in most adult vertebrates

Buds that become limbs

Gill slits• Form structures found in the throat

Elephant Evolution