Transcript Misconceptions about evolution

Misconceptions about
evolution
Some of the most common
misinterpretations about what
evolution says ….
Thanks to the Berkeley Museum website:
• The following slides present some of the
most common misinterpretations about
evolution. You should be able to explain
WHY this is the case for each of these.
1. Evolution is “just a theory”
2. Evolution as a theory is “in trouble”
3. The theory of evolution is
flawed, but scientists won’t
admit it
4. Gaps in the fossil record disprove evolution
5. Evolution isn’t testable or
observable
6. Evolution is a theory about the origin
of life
7. evolution is represents a ladder of
progress; organisms are constantly getting better
8. evolution means that life changes by
chance
9. natural selection involves organisms
trying to adapt
10. natural selection gives organisms
what they need
11. All change in an organism from generation to
generation is evolution
% of a population of beetles is green;
a % is brown
One year, a drought limits food supply
As a result of this environmental stress, the
next year the beetles are smaller
After another generation the % of green and
brown beetles changes.
This is NOT an example of evolution. Why?
How would you answer..
• I’ve heard that scientists don’t know how life
began, does that make evolution untrue?
• Evolution is about organisms improving,
right?
• Are people evolving giant heads with
enormous brains?
• If mutations are random, why isn’t evolution
random?
• A lot of coral are dying because the water is
getting too warm. Why don’t they just evolve
to deal with warm water?