Scientific ContributionsScientific ContributionsScientific ContributionsScientific ContributionsTo a Theory of Evolution
8.1
To a Theory of Evolution8.1
Scientific theoryScientific theoryScientific theoryScientific theory
Ask QuestionsAsk Questions
Scientific HypothesisScientific Hypothesispossible explanation for observationspossible explanation for observations
make observationsmake observations
Hypotheses are testedHypotheses are testedexperiments, models, observations...experiments, models, observations...
Scientific theoryScientific theory
consistently lead to successful predictions and explanationsconsistently lead to successful predictions and explanations
Where did we Where did we come froM?come froM?
Where did we Where did we come froM?come froM?
Many of the earliest ideas of life were
strongly influenced by religion and philosophy!
These ideas suggested that all forms of life existed, unchanged, since their creation
Many of the earliest ideas of life were
strongly influenced by religion and philosophy!
These ideas suggested that all forms of life existed, unchanged, since their creation
But, many scientists came before
Charles Darwin.
He put all the pieces together and had the courage to
publish it...
But, many scientists came before
Charles Darwin.
He put all the pieces together and had the courage to
publish it...
When we think of evolution - we think of When we think of evolution - we think of Darwin.Darwin.
When we think of evolution - we think of When we think of evolution - we think of Darwin.Darwin.
John RayJohn RayJohn RayJohn RayLate 17th century
- early classification of plants and animals based on morphology (physical traits)
- noted how living things were adapted to their environment
- concluded that this was God’s design and NOT evolutionary change
Late 17th century
- early classification of plants and animals based on morphology (physical traits)
- noted how living things were adapted to their environment
- concluded that this was God’s design and NOT evolutionary change
Carl LinnaeusCarl LinnaeusCarl LinnaeusCarl LinnaeusKing of Classification!
(Remember the diversity of life unit?)
The taxon Genus was already in use.
He developed the taxa orders, classes and kingdoms.
King of Classification!
(Remember the diversity of life unit?)
The taxon Genus was already in use.
He developed the taxa orders, classes and kingdoms.
George-Louis George-Louis LeclercLeclercGeorge-Louis George-Louis LeclercLeclerc
Wrote the Histoire Naturelle, a 44 volume of natural history.
- noted the similarities between humans and apes (speculated a common ancestor)
One of the FIRST people to challenge the idea that life forms were UNCHANGING.
Wrote the Histoire Naturelle, a 44 volume of natural history.
- noted the similarities between humans and apes (speculated a common ancestor)
One of the FIRST people to challenge the idea that life forms were UNCHANGING.
Comte de Buffon (late 1700s)Comte de Buffon (late 1700s)
George-Louis LeclercGeorge-Louis LeclercGeorge-Louis LeclercGeorge-Louis Leclerc
Noted that species DO change over time. (Thought modern elephants were descendants of the Siberian mammoth)
Suggested the Earth was much older than 6,000 years old. (which was the common belief at the time)
Noted that species DO change over time. (Thought modern elephants were descendants of the Siberian mammoth)
Suggested the Earth was much older than 6,000 years old. (which was the common belief at the time)
Mary AnningMary AnningMary AnningMary Anning1799 - 1847
Fossil Hunter - discovered the first plesiosaur (aquatic reptile)
George Cuvier examined her work and acknowledged her discoveries.
1799 - 1847
Fossil Hunter - discovered the first plesiosaur (aquatic reptile)
George Cuvier examined her work and acknowledged her discoveries.
Georges Georges CuvierCuvier
Georges Georges CuvierCuvier
Early 1800s
- French naturalist.
- Developed the science of Palaeontology (study of fossils)
- Discovered that each layer of strata has a unique group of fossil species
- The deeper the strata the more different the species are from modern day
Early 1800s
- French naturalist.
- Developed the science of Palaeontology (study of fossils)
- Discovered that each layer of strata has a unique group of fossil species
- The deeper the strata the more different the species are from modern day
Species appeared and others disappeared over time.
This showed that species could become extinct!
Species appeared and others disappeared over time.
This showed that species could become extinct!
CATASTROPHISM (Cuvier)- Proposed that the Earth experienced many destructive natural events, such as floods and volcanoes led to mass extinctions!
CATASTROPHISM (Cuvier)- Proposed that the Earth experienced many destructive natural events, such as floods and volcanoes led to mass extinctions!
Burgess Burgess ShaleShale
Burgess Burgess ShaleShale
One of the world’s most celebrated fossil fields!
(Canadian Rockies, BC)
505 million years old
One of the earliest fossil beds containing imprints of
soft parts!
One of the world’s most celebrated fossil fields!
(Canadian Rockies, BC)
505 million years old
One of the earliest fossil beds containing imprints of
soft parts!
Jean-Baptiste Jean-Baptiste LamarckLamarck
Jean-Baptiste Jean-Baptiste LamarckLamarck
Early 1800s
- Studied fossils. Saw that some remained unchanged and others changed.
- Believed that living things evolved continually upward toward human perfection
- Organisms altered their behaviour in response to environmental change
Early 1800s
- Studied fossils. Saw that some remained unchanged and others changed.
- Believed that living things evolved continually upward toward human perfection
- Organisms altered their behaviour in response to environmental change
INHERITANCE OF ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Behavioural changes modified traits
- lose it if you don’t use it
- continued use leads to increase in size
Modified traits were inherited.
* not quite right...
INHERITANCE OF ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Behavioural changes modified traits
- lose it if you don’t use it
- continued use leads to increase in size
Modified traits were inherited.
* not quite right...
Charles Charles LyellLyell
Charles Charles LyellLyell
Late 1800s - Scottish geologist
Did not agree with catastrophism!
UNIFORMITARIANISM
- geological processes were SLOW and operated at the same rates in the past as they do today
(Could subtle changes also occur in populations?)
Late 1800s - Scottish geologist
Did not agree with catastrophism!
UNIFORMITARIANISM
- geological processes were SLOW and operated at the same rates in the past as they do today
(Could subtle changes also occur in populations?)
THOMAS THOMAS MALTHUSMALTHUSTHOMAS THOMAS MALTHUSMALTHUS
English economist:
“Essay on the principle of population” (1798)
- only a fraction of any population will survive and reproduce
- human population can increase linearly due to improvement in land use and improvements in agriculture
- reproductive potential is exponential
- famine war and disease will limit population growth (especially with the poor)
English economist:
“Essay on the principle of population” (1798)
- only a fraction of any population will survive and reproduce
- human population can increase linearly due to improvement in land use and improvements in agriculture
- reproductive potential is exponential
- famine war and disease will limit population growth (especially with the poor)
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