EVOLUTION Evolution is a scientific theory that was first introduced in the mid 1800’s and it refers to the biological changes that take place within a population of a specific species over the course of many generations. This theory was one of the most scientifically groundbreaking discoveries of our time, and since its discovery, scientists have been working hard to find more and more evidence on the subject. Although there is much controversy on the subject of evolution, it is hard to ignore the facts and observations that strongly support it. In the first chapter of Science, Evolution and Creationism by the National Academy of Scientists, it explores different scientific discoveries and observations which even further confirm the …show more content…
This specific island contained sedimentary rock that had apparently been there for approximately 375 million years. Why is this number important? Because it was predicted that around 375 million years ago shallow water fishes were slowly evolving into land creatures with four legs. The team of scientists believed that it was possible they found evidence of this hypothesis and they were not at all disappointed. What they found was the fossil of a Tiktaalik. A tiktaalik is a fish that had several characteristics of tetrapods, or a four-legged creature. The fossil showed that the fish had four fins on the front and back which contained bones that would allow the creature to prop itself up. This fossil is an example of what scientists call a transitional fossil. A transition fossil is a fossil which gives us evidence of a transition from one species to another. It is a fossil that is in between point A and point B. The tiktaalik is a superb example of this because it has characteristics of both a fish and a four-legged land creature, suggesting that over time the tiktaalik probably actually became a species of the land after several generations of them growing leg-like appendages. The tiktaalik would likely achieve evolving into a land creature through sexual reproduction. Reproduction plays a key role in biological evolution. When two creatures of the same species reproduce, the offspring receives DNA that belonged to both
Evolution is a change in the characteristic of living organism through time. Modern synthesis, one of the greatest intellectual achievements of biology, could explain how mutations and natural selection could produced large-scale evolutionary change. There are 4 mechanisms for evolution to occur; mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection. Although, there are a number of misconceptions about evolution; it does not explain the origins of life, it is not progressive, natural selection is not about the survival of the fittest individuals in a population, humans are not currently evolving, it does not make organism better designed nor does it gives organism what they need to survive. This essay will describe further, 3 common misconceptions
Evolution is one of the most important factors when looking at history. A crucial moment in evolutionary process is speciation. Fortunately, we have the fossil record of a transitional species called tiktaalik. Tiktaalik was the transitional species of sea creature that would evolve into a land creature. It was found on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian arctic and is believed to be around 383 million years old (Class Lecture).
The late Stephen Jay Gould, a noted paleontologist who once described himself as an “agnostic leaning towards atheism,” wrote the classic treatise Evolution as Fact and Theory for Discover magazine back in 1981. His distinguished career and scientific achievements did earn him respect amongst his peers, but to the general public he is best known for his popular science writings and, to smaller circles, as a champion of evolution. As his treatise was written for a non-academic, science themed magazine, a basic understanding of science, and specifically evolutionary mechanics, was assumed of his audience. The treatise itself is on the often overlapping distinction between “theory” and “fact”; two words, he asserts, that creationists
Throughout history, there has been a major debate on the theory of evolution. Is it true? The term evolution has been defined many ways, and for the purpose of this paper, I will use the fourth definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. “Evolution is the descent with modification from preexisting species: cumulative inherited change in a population of organisms through time leading to the appearance of new forms: the process by which new species or populations of living things develop from preexisting forms through successive generations.” (Merriam-Webster, 2017) What does this mean and how could it possibly be true? In this paper, I will explain the different ideas
Evolution theories have been around for a long time. There have also been a lot of old- and young Earth creationism arguments. These theories and arguments are discussed in this paper.
The greatest test of ANY scientific theory is in its usefulness as a predictive tool. In this case, as with others, the Theory of Evolution has performed
The fossil record not only helps to better explain evolution, but also provides physical proof that evolution occurs. The fossil record showcases the outcome of natural selection and includes well documented examples of the transition of one species to another, revealing the origins of the new physical features that resulted. Because of the fossil record, fossils containing characteristics of two different organisms, known as transitional fossils, have been identified. These transitional fossils provide direct evidence about the course of evolutionary change throughout Earth’s history. A prime example of this is the Tiktaalik roseae which lived 375 million years ago
The theory of evolution in itself is an evolution. The way humans understand how life came to exist and how it has changed along the way reflects the different socio economic environments we have created. For any scientist, previous theory’s and ideas from historians or other scholars are used in part to form the basis of understanding of new information (Klyve, D. k. 2014). The understanding of evolution as we see it today comes from many areas of the world amid varying time periods. The most famous and current understanding is that of Darwin, in 1859 his book On the Origin of Species revolutionized the way we see life and its continuity through natural selection. In this essay I will look at a project pertaining to the observational study of tropical fish that have changed through time with natural selection and divergence of geographical isolation. Scientists have found that by comparing genome scans, links in different lineages of Pacific reef fishes give an example of how isolating barriers contribute to morphologic changes in the species, (Gaither, M. R.,2015). I will also look at another study which suggests that natural selection is flawed as it does not take into account the current understanding of genomics. this study suggests that instead of natural selection and the process of evolving traits through the added complexity of structures in a species, species evolve due to random changes from the evolution of genomes (Randall JE 2007). Their idea if genomes
Anomalocaris was one of the 1st predator organisms. They fed on other organisms to survive, because they couldn’t live off strictly oxygen and chemicals. They are closely related to the modern day mantis shrimp. Hallucigenia would defend themselves against predators by developing spines for protection. The final species mentioned in Attenborough’s journey was the trilobites. Trilobites had bodies separated into 3 sections, much like many living organisms in the world today. Eventually, the ocean life couldn’t satisfy all of the organisms it had, and the migration to land would begin.
This fish had already evolved to a point where it had much in common with later land animals. A recently discovered 220-million year old fossil, Odontochelys semitestacea, is further evidence of evolution. This new species of turtle had a fully formed shell on its underside, but only a small partial shell on its back, extending from its backbone. Scientists had long debated how the turtle shell evolved. As well as a partial shell, Odontochelys semitestacea also had ribs that had begun to widen, thus demonstrating that the fully developed shell of later turtles evolved from earlier species’ ribs.
The evolution of animal is something that is difficult to explain. But with some rock data, that can change. Rock saves much information for billions of years and when people discover that information, that information can solve many mysteries. Billions of years of missing rock can help clarify animal evolution. Summarizing, analyzing this article and explaining how this topic can help clarify many thoughts is important.
A species population may change over time by Genetic changes. These Genetic Changes often include visible differences, and different instincts to adapt to a different habitat. As the bird beak example above, the bird developed distinctly to attain food easier in different habitats. Species of animals over many, many years will adapt to their surroundings. These Genetic Changes are created by DNA mutations. Mutations occur when something goes wrong in creating DNA.
In this paper I will be explaining two sides of the evolution vs. creationism debate. The topics I am going to write about are fossil evidence, the origin of life, and Darwin’s “theory” of natural selection. I will be presenting a view of both sides of the argument they will be on the creation side and evolution standpoint. I would suggest that you, the reader, would have a previous knowledge of all the topics so that you may get a full understanding of both sides. If there is no prior knowledge of one side or another know that not all people that have beliefs in any of these topics agree with all of these standings.
Evolution has been a topic of conversation for generations. The purpose of this research is to show the sides of creationism but mainly evolutionism. The research we have today proves my side of this very controversial topic. This paper goes in depth through pieces of studies that have been done in hopes of enhancing the effect of evolution. This research will provide valuable information regarding why I believe the science of evolution and proving my belief in science.
Evolution is the modification of characteristics of living organisms over generations (StrangeScience.net, 2015); it is the gradual process of development by which the present diversity of living organisms arose from the earliest forms of life, which is believed to have been ongoing for at least the past 3000 million years (Hine, 2004). Common ancestry are groups of living organisms that share the most recent common ancestor, by which scientific evidence proves that all life on Earth are descendants from the previous universal ancestor (DarwinWasRight.org, 2015). Additionally, opposing theories against Evolution, primarily the Christianity religion, explain that God is the ‘creator’ and is the source of all existence.