1 Evolution

Evolution

1. 1/4/16 1 Biological Anthropology: Evolution

2. Anthropology Anthropology : the holistic study of humanity. In the US, Anthropology is broken up into four main sub-fields. 1/4/16 2

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4. 1/4/16 4 Biological Anthropology Biological Anthropology is the study of the human species from a biological perspective. Biological anthropologists rely on a scientific framework to make their claims about humans.

5. 1/4/16 5 Scientific Framework If something cannot be observed with the senses it can not be studied scientifically. Similarly, things that cannot be observed cannot be used for scientific explanations.

6. 1/4/16 6 Evolution Evolution: Fact or Theory ?

7. 1/4/16 7 What is a fact? A fact is something that has been repeatedly observed and verified.

8. Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess as to why something observed happens. Hypotheses are tested to determine their accuracy. 1/4/16 8

9. 1/4/16 9 What is a theory? A theory is an well-supported explanation for why something observed (facts) occurs. Theories are derived from hypotheses that have continually provided accurate explanations.

10. 1/4/16 10 Evolution Evolution is defined as change (in gene frequencies) within populations over time.

11. 1/4/16 11 Evolution is Fact Changes in gene frequencies within populations have been observed many times.

12. MRSA: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus 1/4/16 12

13. Archaeopteryx Fossil 1/4/16 13

14. 1/4/16 14 Theories of Evolution Numerous scientists have attempted to explain the fact of evolution. This is what is meant by evolutionary theory.

15. 1/4/16 15 Theory of Natural Selection Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species , in 1859. This book outlined his theory (or explanation) of evolution.

16. 1/4/16 16 Darwin’s First Point Within any population there is variation.

17. 1/4/16 17 Darwin’s Second Point Darwin suggested some of these characteristics were transmitted from parents to offspring.

18. 1/4/16 18 Darwin’s Third Point More organisms are born than can be supported by the environment. Limited resources result in some level of competition between organisms.

19. 1/4/16 19 Darwin’s Observations Darwin suggested that some traits provided an advantage to organisms within a given environment.

20. 1/4/16 20 Darwin’s conclusion Natural Selection : Organisms possessing traits that make them well-adapted to their environment have a greater chance of surviving and passing on their traits to their offspring than those less well-adapted,

21. 1/4/16 21 The Peppered Moth

22. Moths on Birch Tree 1/4/16 22

23. Evolution is NOT… Evolution is not necessarily about becoming more “advanced” or “complex.” 1/4/16 23

24. Evolution Evolution relies on random mutations …just because a trait would be desirable in a given situation does NOT mean it will necessarily emerge. 1/4/16 24

25. Jean-Baptiste Lamark (1744-1829) Jean-Baptiste Lamark was a naturalist that provided an interpretation of evolutionary change that has since been disproven. 1/4/16 25

26. Lamark’s View 1/4/16 26