Transcript Evolution and Creation PPT

The Theory of Evolution
Charles Darwin (1809 1882)

The most famous scientist that studied and discussed
evolution is Charles Darwin. He was a British
scientist who laid the foundations of the theory of
evolution and transformed the way we think about the
natural world.

Darwin himself initially planned to follow a medical
career, and studied at Edinburgh University but later
switched to theology at Cambridge. In 1831, he
joined a five year scientific expedition on the survey
ship _______________________________.

At this time, most Europeans believed that the world
was created by
__________________________________________
_____________________ as described in the bible.

However, on his voyage, Darwin read the
'Principles of Geology' which suggested that
the _______________________ found in
rocks were actually
_______________________ of animals that
had lived thousands or millions of years ago.

This concept was reinforced in Darwin's own
mind by the rich variety of animal life and the
geological features he saw during his voyage.

The breakthrough in his ideas came in the
Galapagos Islands, 500 miles west of South
America. Darwin noticed that each island
____________________________________
______________________ which were
closely related but differed in important ways.
Evolution continued:

Darwin observed that Finches had
different beak sizes on different islands
dependent on the food resources
available to them.

On his return to England in 1836, Darwin tried
to solve the riddles of these observations and
the puzzle of how species evolve. He
eventually proposed a theory of evolution
occurring by the process of
____________________________________.

The animals (or plants) best suited to their
environment are more likely to survive and
reproduce, passing on the
______________________________ which
helped them survive to their offspring.

Gradually, the species ________________
over time.

In 1859 Darwin published 'On the Origin of Species
by Means of Natural Selection'.

The book was extremely controversial, because the
logical extension of Darwin's theory was that homo
sapiens was simply another form of animal. It made it
seem possible that even people might just have
evolved __________________________________________
- and destroyed the prevailing orthodoxy on how the
world was created.

Darwin was vehemently attacked, particularly by the
_____________________. However, his ideas soon
gained currency and have become the new
orthodoxy.
What is a theory?

As we have seen Darwin’s research followed
from an interesting theory. In everyday use,
the word "theory" often means an untested
hunch, or a guess without supporting
evidence.

But for scientists, a theory has nearly the
opposite meaning.

A theory is a____________________
______________________________.
It can incorporate laws, hypotheses and
facts.
What is evolution:

Evolution is the
___________________________________
of organisms over time.
 This genetic change may give the organism
a survival and/or reproductive
________________________ in their
___________ environments.
 Population increases usually accompany
these changes and this increased rate of
survival is known as natural selection.
The Theory of Evolution:
Supporters of the theory of evolution believe
that all living things developed from
__________________________ form of
life.
From this ‘unknown’ ancestor organisms
adapted according to their environment and
gave birth to the diverse species seen in the
fossil record.
The Theory of Evolution:

There are 4 essential requirements of evolution:
V = _______________________: All life forms vary
genetically within a population. It is this genetic variation
upon which selection works.
I = ________________________: Genetic traits are
inherited from parents and are passed on to offspring.
S = _________________________: Organisms with
traits that are favorable to their survival get to live and pass
on their genes to the next generation.
T = ______________________: Evolution takes time.
Evolution can happen in a few generations, but major
change, such as speciation, often takes long periods of time.
The Theory of Evolution:

There are also four ways in which evolution
occurs:
1) Mutation: a change in an organisms DNA usually
caused by an_______________ in repair or
duplication
2) _______________________: occurs when an
organism inserts its DNA in a different species
pool
3) Genetic Drift: random changes in gene
frequencies of a species (could be caused by
____________________________________)
4) Natural Selection: process in which some
individuals have genetically-based traits that
____________________________ or reproduction
and thus have more offspring
The Theory of Creation:

Many people believe in creationism.
 This is the belief that man (and all other
beings) were _________________________
____________________________________

For many this belief is grounded in the book
of Genesis.
– Chapter 1, Verse 27: “So God created man in his
own image, in the image of God created them;
male and female created them.”
The Theory of Creation:

Believers in creation suggest that the major
plants and animals on earth were placed
on the earth in their final form.

This also suggests that man/women were
placed on the earth in his/her current fully
human form.

In this view, earth was not a spontaneous
creation but rather a specific and
______________________ event by our
creator.
Theories on the Origin of
Humankind – Pre-Darwinism

Diluvial Theory:
– supported the Bible
– fossils of extinct animals formed by
______________________________

Objections:
– no single event like Flood could account for
progression of fossils in layers, each lower level is
older
– discovery of pre-flood fossils related to animals
living after the flood
Theories on the Origin of
Humankind – Pre-Darwinism

_________________________ Theory –
George Cuvier (1769-1832)
– explained sequence of fossil layers by proposing a
corresponding series of major catastrophes
interspersed with periods of calm when plant and
animal populations restocked the Earth
– Noah’s flood just one of many catastrophes
(between 27-32)

Objection:
– fossil record looks like “jerky” catastrophes but
change was much ________________________
Contemporary Creationism

________________________ Design
– promotes the idea that natural processes
and living things are best explained by an
intelligent cause and not undirected,
Darwinian natural selection

Common Objection: not scientifically
__________________________, should not
be considered a “scientific theory”
What is the big deal anyways?

Why was (is) the theory of evolution so
controversial?
– At the time of Darwin’s publication of the Origin of
Species (1859) creation was the most widely
accepted version of how the earth and all life on it
was created.
– To many it seemed that the theory of evolution
was an attempt to contradict religious belief.
– But, Darwin himself was deeply religious.
– The idea that humans came from apes was also
offensive to some people.
Misconceptions about the theory
of Evolution:
1.
Evolution is a theory about the origin of
life.
Misconceptions continued:
2. Evolution is like a climb up a ladder of
progress; organisms are always getting
better.
Misconceptions continued:
3. Evolution means that life changed ‘by
chance’.
Misconceptions continued:
4. Natural selection involves organisms
‘trying’ to adapt.
Misconceptions continued:
5. Natural selection gives organisms what
they ‘need’.
The Evolutionary Algorithm:
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If you have:
– Variation
– Inheritance
– Selection
And
- Time
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Then you get evolution
Activity:
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Refer to the chart attached where you will
find the progression of the human skull, take
a few minutes to read it over.

Think about this question:
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At what point in ‘the evolution of humans’
do you believe that these primates begin
to become human? (Ex. when they begin
to walk on two feet or use tools) Why?
Movie Clip – Human Spark
Activity – Questions on video.