EvolutionEvolution

Origin of speciesOrigin of species

3 billions years ago to today3 billions years ago to today

Evolution – the theoryEvolution – the theory‘Natural selection’‘Natural selection’

Charles Darwin 1809-1882 1803180(Charles Darwin

1809-1882)

Church versus scienceChurch versus science

It took over 50 years It took over 50 years for Darwin's theory to for Darwin's theory to be accepted. His be accepted. His ideas went against ideas went against the ‘God created the the ‘God created the World’World’

He was ridiculed by He was ridiculed by the pressthe press

Are our ancestors the apes?Are our ancestors the apes?

Homo erectusHomo erectus

Erect man – as in standing erect i.e. upright

(so put any other thoughts out of your mind!)

The pelvis of primates prevents them from walking upright easily – homo erectus is a link in the evolutionary chain to modern man from the primates

EvidenceEvidence

Capacity of skull - brainCapacity of skull - brain

Evolution is the slow, continual change of organisms over a very long

time. All living things on the Earth have developed from the first simple life forms that arrived 3,000,000,000

years ago.One of the effects of evolution is that species will become

better adapted to their environment. If these species don’t adapt they may become extinct due to being unable to deal with any of these factors…

1) Increased competition

2) Changes in the environment

3) New diseases

4) New predators

My key observations:1) All living things produce more

offspring than survive to adulthood

2) In spite of this, population sizes remain roughly constant

3) Variation exists among species4) Characteristics can be passed on

from one generation to the next.

These observations led me to the conclusion that species evolve over a along period of time by a mechanism called “Natural Selection”. The main evidence for this is from fossil records.

Natural SelectionNatural Selection1) Each species shows variation:

2) There is competition within each species for food, living space, water, mates etc

4) These survivors will pass on their better genes to their offspring who will also show this beneficial variation.

Get off my land, you lanky git

Gutted!

Yum

3) The “better adapted” members of these species are more likely to survive – “Survival of the Fittest”

Shut it - shorty

Darwin vs LamarkDarwin vs Lamark

LAMARK

HorseHorse

Pentadactyl limbPentadactyl limb

Extinction – adapt or dieExtinction – adapt or die