EVOLUTION AND THE REASONS

FOR EXTINCTION

Kathleen Gabriel

DARWIN AND EVOLUTION

WHAT IS EVOLUTION? “Change in the gene pool of a population

from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.”

What this means is that as living things reproduce in the ever changing environment, genes mutate to adapt to accommodate for the new tasks the body must perform to survive.

CHARLES DARWIN

A naturalist who developed the evolution theory

On a voyage around the waters of South America, Darwin made his first discovery. He found several fossils of extinct animals and

started to ponder how they were similar to the live ones

But it was not until they reached the Galapagos Islands that Darwin made his biggest discovers that gave way to what we know today about evolution.

DARWIN’S DISCOVERY Darwin collected many different kinds of

birds, or so he thought. He discovered that all the birds were the

same; they were all finches. Darwin began pondering why the

finches would change. He discovered that the beaks differed

depending on what the different birds ate on their separate islands.

THIS GAVE WAY INTO…

THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION!!! noun (biology) a scientific theory of the

origin of species of plants and animals

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Fish Salamander Tortoise Chicken Pig Cow Rabbit

Human

WHAT WE KNOW NOW Darwin didn’t have the technology we

do today allowing us to actually see the DNA.

In the DNA only one chromosome letter different and the bird would be black instead of splotchy.

How does nature keep up with the incredible amounts of types and species?

EXTINCTION

WHAT IS EXTINCTION “Biology. the act or process of becoming

extinct; a coming to an end or dying out: the extinction of a species.”

(morbid picture sorry)

WHY DOES EXTINCTION HAPPEN? Scientists aren’t entirely sure why

extinction happens Two of the many speculations are:

Human huntingChanging environment

Neither of these quite explain the sudden disappearance of our friends the dinosaurs though

ARE HUMANS NEXT? As we steadily deteriorate our climate

and heat the earth, there may not be much option for the humans.

We need to help the earth by reducing carbon dioxide emission and going green.

THE END!