Evolution Change over time (LOTS of TIME!) Change over time (LOTS of TIME!) The definition.
Species Change Over Time. What is evolution? Definition: The gradual change in a species over time...
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Transcript of Species Change Over Time. What is evolution? Definition: The gradual change in a species over time...
What is evolution?• Definition:• The gradual change in a species over
time• Takes a Looooong time• Results from a change in the GENETIC
material of an organism• Not acted on at the individual level• Passed on from one generation to the
next
Early Ideas of Evolution
• Lamarck• When an individual
organism acquires a new trait IN ITS LIFETIME it passes that trait to its offspring• Ex. A giraffe wanted to reach
a higher tree so it stretched its neck. This longer neck was passed onto the next generation
• No Evidence!
What replaced Lamarcks idea?
• Charles Darwin• Developed his idea aboard the Beagle• Studied rock formations and collected
fossils• Compared animals• Galapagos Islands
• Located off the South American coast• Came up with natural selection
What is natural selection?
• The process through which members of a species are best suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other less suited members of the species• Species adapt to their environment• Adaptation• A characteristic, a behavior, or an inherited trait
• Fitness• How well you are equipped to survive the environment you live
in
Simpler view of Natural Selection• Survival of the fittest• The most “fit” animals will be selected for and will survive.• Ex. Giraffes were all born with different heights. The ones with longer necks
were more “fit” and they were able to get additional food, survive, and pass on those traits.
Example• Depending on the food source and environment, different birds
survived and changed to best fit each island
Overproduction
• When a plant or an animal reproduces it usually creates more offspring than the environment can support• Ex. Salmon lay 100’s of eggs but
only a few will survive
Variation
• Within a species there are natural differences in traits• Occur due to mutations• Change in genetic material/DNA
• Genetic variations are passed from one generation to the next
Selection
• Individual organisms with a particular adaptation will survive long enough to reproduce• Adaptation becomes more
common in next generation
New Species Evolve from Earlier Species
• Speciation• Evolution of a new species from
an existing species• May occur when the
environment changes dramatically or gradually• Ex. Finch (mentioned
previously); Cichlid (fish); Polar Bear
What can contribute to speciation?
• Isolation by geographical or other barriers• Species can also be isolated if they
feed on different things or reproduce at different times of year
Examples of Natural Selection:The Evolution of The Polar Bear
Our story begins with the Polar Bear’s closest living relative – the Brown Bear
The Evolution of The Polar BearAround 300,000 years ago a
small group of Brown Bears became reproductively isolated from the rest of the population
The Evolution of The Polar Bear
This small founding population of Brown Bears were able to survive and reproduce living in the Arctic Tundra. After MANY generations, a random genetic mutation occurred . . .
The Evolution of The Polar BearBecause of the genetic mutation,
a litter of Brown Bears exhibited WHITE coloration
The Evolution of The Polar Bear
How do you think the white fur color affected these bears chances of surviving long enough to have cubs of their own?
X
X
X
X
Advantageous traits, which allows organisms to have more offspring, will become more common
in the population over time.
Through Reproductive Isolation and Natural Selection . . . One Species Evolved Into Another New Species By Adapting To Its New Environment