Evidence for Evolutionbiogeography

fossil record

comparative anatomy

homologous structures

vestigial structures

analogous structures

comparative embryology

similar biochemistry (DNA and proteins)

Lamarck1744-1829

Believed in “use and disuse”

If you needed a trait, you could develop it in your lifetime

Believe you would pass on acquired traits to your offspring

Charles Darwin

1809-1882

Sailed around the world 1831-1836

Researched Galapagos Islands

Peppered Moth Simulation

Work in partners

Simulate natural selection in moths

Misconceptions

Misconceptions

Misconceptions

Misconceptions

MISCONCEPTION: Evolution is like a climb up the ladder of progress – organisms get “better.”

Natural Selection Descent with Modification

More members are born into a population than will survive

Not all members are the same (genetic diversity)

Some members are better suited to environment

Those better suited will survive and pass traits on to offspring

Fitness: The ability to survive and reproduce. Increased fitness = survival

Natural Selection and Fitness

Over time, natural selection results in changes in the inherited characteristics of a population.

Increase in fitness of a species