Origin of an idea about origins Flashcards
Define the term Evolution
The process by which populations change overtime, in response to a change in their environment
What is a theory
an explanation of a phenomenon that can be testes using rigorous scientific methods at different times in different locations and by different people
What is a Hypothesis
a possible explanation of a phenomenon. Scientist develop experiments and or gather evidence to test a hypothesis. If observations and evidence support the hypothesis and if many scientist achieve the same results when testing a hypothesis, the hypothesis may become a theory
is Evolution a theory
scientific theory of evolution emerges from different
lines of evidence and has been developed over the last 200 years and draws on evidence mainly from fossil, records, comparative anatomy, biogeography and genetics
How is new evidence accepted by society
the acceptance of scientific theory by society in
relation to belief systems;
• the historical time at which it is presented;
• the manner in which it is presented; and
• to whom it is presented
What are the different lines of evidence from which the theory of evolution emerges
Fossil record, recording the position of fossils in the geological strata, paleontologists are able to deduce the relative age of fossils (suggests the order in which evolution occurred)
-Modification by descent, Basic body parts of plants and animals are modified to suit their environment, similar structures show common ancestry
-Biogeography, The distribution of existing and extinct species show closely related species usually occur in the same geographical area . This suggest they share a common ancestor
Genetics, Closely related organisms have similar DNA- It shows how changes in genotype is transferred to successive generations
Name the role players in the development of the theory and how each contributed to it ( Erusmas Darwin and Lamarach
Erasmus Darwin, Life originated from a single common ancestor
There are similarities between different organisms which indicates one species developed from another over time
Lamarck,
The use or disuse of organs may cause them to increase or decrease in size or disappear (The law of use and disuse)
The offspring inherit the characteristic that their parents acquired in their lifetime (The law of inheritance of acquired characteristics)
the role of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
Charles Darwin- Individuals in a population produce more offspring than required to survive
There is variation within the population
Some individuals have traits that make them better suited to survive in a changing environment
These specifically suited traits allow them to survive
Surviving individuals are more likely to reproduce (weaker individuals may die and not reproduce)
Characteristics are transferred from surviving parents to their offspring (babies)
Alfred Wallace- The ancestors of modern species became isolated from each other and over time evolved differently ‘father of biogeography
Alternatives of explanation
Theory of spontaneous generation
Theory of biogenesis
Theory of panspermia
Theory of creation
