Project In Biology

Impartial fulfilment of the requirement in Biology

Submitted by: Christian Jude V. Fabular Rajev Delos Reyes Fritz Bassig II-Mark

Submitted to: Mr. Arlon P. Cadiz A.Y. 2011-2012

EVOLUTION
Darwin s theory of evolution was published in 1859 in a book called The Origin of Species.

A scientist named Charles Darwin (1800) became interested in how species changed over time. He developed a theory to explain how new species formed. He was an English naturalist who studied living things in their natural settings instead of in a zoo or in a laboratory.

Theory of Evolution by Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment Gregor Johann Mendel
-According to the principle of segregation for any particular trait, the pair of allele passes from each parent on to an offspring -According to the principle of independent assortment, different pairs of alleles are passed on to offspring independently of each other. The result is that new combinations of genes present in neither parent are possible

Lamarck s theory of evolution

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck advocated the theory of the inheritance of acquired characteristics. He suggested that organisms could acquire new characteristics during their lifetime. Lamarck s theory is based on environmental factors, and summarized in the sentence The function creates the organ.

Lamarck s Theory of Evolution vs. Darwin s Theory of Evolution

-Lamarck was the first to publish a theory of evolution that explained how life evolves. He believed that evolution was driven by the tendency toward greater complexity and that, as organisms evolved, they became better adapted to their environments.

Lamarck explained the mechanism of evolution with two principles: 1. Use or disuse of body parts leads to their development or deterioration, 2. acquired characteristics can be inherited. Lamarck s theory however , presented many key evolutionary ideas such as: 1. That evolution is the best explanation for fossil record and the current diversity of life, 2. That earth is very old, 3. That adaptation to the environment is the main result of evolution.

Darwinism Concepts
Darwin s concept of descent with modification included the general idea that all organisms were related to through lineage from some unknown ancient origin and had developed changes as they adapted to various habitats.

Natural selection and adaptation

Natural selection - the different reproductive success within a population that leads to adaptation to the environment. Darwin s theory of natural selection includes the following facts and inferences: Fact 1 - species have great potential fertility. Fact 2 - most population are stable Fact 3 - natural resources are limited

Inference 1 - since only a fraction of offspring survives, there is a struggle for limited resources Fact 4 - there is a variation between individual in a population Fact 5 - much of this variation can be inherited Inference 2 - individuals whose inherited characteristics fit them best to the environment are likely to leave more offsprings Inference 3 - unequal reproduction leads to gradual change in population Industrial Melanism - change in the color of moths in polluted areas

The course of evolution often follows common patterns

Convergent evolution: unrelated species living in similar environments and facing similar environmental challenges sometimes evolve similar characteristics Divergent evolution: closely related species lining in different environments and facing different environmental challenges sometimes evolve dissimilar characteristics Coevolution: the evolution of one species affects the evolution of another species Adaptive radiation: several species will evolve from a single, ancestral species Gradualism: evolutionary as a slow, gradual process of change Punctuated equilibrium: evolution may proceed with long periods of relatively little change (stasis) punctuated with short periods of intense change

Evidences for Evolution

Paleontology a branch of biology that deals with the study of extinct organisms available in fossil form. Fossils are the organic remains of plants and animals that existed a long, time ago.

Three Large Classes of Rocks

Sedimentary rocks which are formed by packing together of sediment such as mud and sand. Igneous rocks which are at one time the molten lava. Metamorphic rocks which are at one time sedimentary or igneous, but distorted by heat and pressure of overlying rocks.

How do scientists find Out the Age of Fossils

-the age of the rocks can be directly determined when the age of the fossil is known. -a fossil is about the same age as the rock layer in which it was trapped. Scientists can find the age of fossils by knowing the age of the rock layer. -To find the age of rocks, scientists use a method based on decay or change. Dating Fossils/radioactive dating - process of finding out the age of a fossil

An example of a fossil is the Ancient bird Arcaeopteryx.

Evidences from Homologous Organs

-One of the indirect pieces of evidence for evolution comes from the study of homologous organs in organisms that exist today. Homologous Organs are those, which have the same basic structure, but different functions.

Evidences from Embryology

Embryology another branch which offers some indirect pieces of evidence for evolution. Embryo a species in the earliest stages of its development in the uterus or egg. Haeckel an embryologist proposed the idea that the evolutionary history of a species is indicated by the developmental stages that it passes through.

Evidences from Vestigial Organs

Vestigial structure in the body of organisms that have no apparent use Biochemistry the study of life at the molecule level and the process associated with life

My Reflection: My reflection in this topic is surprised because it talks about animals who evolve. I have learned that there are many reasons on how animals change. The scientist who studied it was Charles Darwin. According to their theories that animals change because of adaptation and new forming of species. The evidence of the ancient species were fossils. These fossils the remains of the animals that were extinct. To find out the age of the fossils the use a process called dating of fossils.