...What is evolution? Providing a definition of “evolution” is tricky because the word is used in different ways. First we need to distinguish between the broader worldview some associate with evolution and the scientific theory of evolution. The theory of evolution by natural selection, first formulated in Charles Darwin's book "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, is the process by which organisms change over time as a result of changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits. Changes that allow an organism to better adapt to its environment will help it survive and have more offspring. The theory of evolution is based on the idea that all species are related and gradually change over time. Evolution relies on there being genetic variation in a population which affects the physical characteristics (phenotype) of an organism. Some of these characteristics may give the individual an advantage over other individuals which they can then pass on to their offspring. Evolution by natural selection is one of the best substantiated theories in the history of science, supported by evidence from a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including paleontology, geology, genetics and...
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...Humans have been theorized to have an ancestor of a single-celled organism. And throughout billions of years, that single-celled organism gradually evolved into multicellular organisms. This is the theory of evolution. Due to these gradual evolutionary processes, humans have derived certain characteristics or skills that were necessary for survival. Although humans are known to be evolutionarily superior to other species, humans were born with skills expressed in earlier ancestors and nurtured those skills to develop into much more superior forms that set humans apart from other species. Humans have similar elementary processes in babies as primates. A set of these elementary processes are motor skills. In the genetics, humans are 98.8% identical to primates. And due to the theory of evolution, humans have similar motor skills as primates, such as basic survival reflexes. One motor skill humans have inherited is the ability to make...
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...There is one reason that I believe that the species have changed over the years. I think that the different biomes changes each organism. Each organism lives in a slightly different environment making them evolve. Species 2 lives in a forest where their webbed feet allow them to climb up trees to catch their food. Species 3 lives in a swamp and that evolved them to have a full shell around them to protect them from fish. Their sharp claws also allow them to catch onto small fish to eat. Species 4 has webbed feet to travel through the muck and mire as sad in the text of the Caminalcule Island information. Species 12 lives in the forest. I believe that they feast off the floor of the forest so they have sharp claws to catch faster prey of the...
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...Evolution All humans have one thing in common, their ancestry. Evolution is a theory that explains the genetic diversity in all living organisms. For example, it explains how humans evolved from apes (“Academy defends teaching evolution”). The theory of evolution is largely based on the ideas of Charles Darwin and is controversial because it contradicts current theories on creation (“Human Evolution”). Charles Darwin is credited for the beginning of the theory of evolution (look in cites). The reason most scientist agree with the theory is because it is backed by facts (“Human Evolution”). Evolution is the journey that can be proven through genetics, anatomy, and geology. Charles Darwin’s research shown in his book, On the Origins of Species by Natural Selection, gave birth to the theory of evolution (“Human Evolution”). Darwin, during his research noticed the variation through heredity in all living organisms in nature (cite). Explained in his book On the Origins of species by Natural Selection, “these individual differences are highly important for us, as they afford materials for natural selection to accumulate” (Darwin and Levine 47). He also explains that evolution, through natural selection, only helps each organism to become better...
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...Is Evolution True? Kelius Hardy SCI 115SC October 21, 2013 Kenneth Skena Is Evolution True? Evolution is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary online as a progression of constant change from a plain to a compound state (2013). It is a perspective that different kinds of animals and plants originated from earlier species and have distinctive features because of their adaptation to new environments (Merriam-Webster, 2013). There are different perspectives concerning the origin of evolution and depending on an individual’s particular belief he may agree or disagree with the various viewpoints in existence today. This paper will cover the various viewpoints concerning evolution to include philosophical, theological, and sociological reflections. It will also cover the scientific process of evolution showing my agreement or disagreement with the process. What is Evolution? Organisms or species go through many hereditary changes over an extended period of time (Coyne, 2009). This means that one generation will be different from the other as they continue to evolve through changes in their genetic composition as they adapt to their environment (Coyne, 2009). Another belief concerning evolution is the concept of gradualism, which believes that a change in a species takes place after many generations have evolved, such as the development of birds from reptiles (Coyne, 2009). Speciation, yet another evolutionary concept, has the belief that although species share common traits...
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...that have to due with evolution. In the first segment I will be talking about phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. In the second part of the paper I will be discussing fossil records and the connection they have with punctuated equilibrium. Finally I will be talking about rapid evolution and relative stasis. Explain the concepts of phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Phyletic gradualism is a model of evolution. The theory of phyletic gradualism states that the rise of new species is slow, uniform and gradual. In this theory there is no real clear line between ancestral and descendant species. Punctuated equilibrium is a hypothesis, which holds that evolutionary changes usually occur in short bursts separated by long periods of stability. Both phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are different types of evolution. There are two types of evolution macroevolution and microevolution. Microevolution is slight short-term changes within a species. For example in humans there are different eye colors and hair colors. What predictions about the fossil record does punctuated equilibrium make? Evolution and punctuated equilibrium which state that changes in species occur in short bursts separated by periods of time. Many evolutionists believe that new species are descended from other species that have already existed. Evolution also states that many populations of pre-existing species have evolved into other species over a period of time...
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...Fossil Record and Theories of Evolution. Introduction In general, the term 'evolution' can imply a drastic orgradual change from a very broad perspective. Life on earth, the universe,galaxies, as also the earth in general have evolved through millions of years.In this essay we consider only one aspect of evolution emphasizing on evolutionas a biological tool for change among species and consider fossil record assupportive of both evolution theories and also the other theories contrary toevolution. Evolution is the central unifying concept, a theory thatsuccessfully connects biology, paleontology and other branches of science.Evolution is a gradual descent of organisms accompanied by changes that helpthe organisms to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. 'Descent withmodifications' as Darwin contended implies changes in organisms in successivegenerations (Mayr, 1976). These changes are triggered by the derivation of newspecies and there is a change in the properties of populations of organisms andthese properties tend to transcend the lifetime of any single individual. Newerspecies are modified versions of older species. Although, individual organisms do not biologically evolve,populations evolve when heritable genetic materials are transmitted from onegeneration to another. Biological evolution can range from very limited changesto drastic transformations on a large scale changing the entire speciesaltogether and bringing in new forms. Evolution can thus be defined asinheritable...
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...Evolution and Australian Species Evolution can be described as process of organisms developing from there earlier forms of life of life. Evolution firstly became an idea from a group of ancient Greek thinkers. But when trying to introduce these ideas to the residents of Europe, they believed this must be false, as they already believed in the interpretation of the bible. This idea of evolution only began to rise again when Jean-Baptiste Lamarck the French naturalist came up with a theory how organisms evolved, he believed that they evolved through their efforts to the response of the demand of their environment “Australia is home to many interesting phenomena, amongst them its weird and wonderful wildlife. 86% of plants, 84% of mammals and...
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...Is Evolution True? Alden Vasquez EVOLUTION – Your Inner Fish Professor Michael Wilder 16 August 2015 Is Evolution True? I’m a raised catholic brought up in the faith that God created all heaven and earth, and on earth he placed us (humans) created perfect as His reflection. To add more skepticism about evolution, I’m pursuing a degree in finance/accounting subjects that have nothing to do with biology, science, or geology. Then why did I take this class you might ask? An easy answer will be that my student advisor recommended it and I didn’t think about it and just enrolled in it; but I look at things differently and always trying to find the positive side, I believe that it was meant for me to take this class, I needed to be exposed out of my comfort zone to a subject that if it wouldn’t have been this way I would have probably remained ignorant all my life. With that being said, I will venture on this essay to explain what I’ve learned about evolution, talk about evidence that we have found on the rocks including documented changes through the evolution of species like vestiges, embryos and bad designs. I will talk about the engine of evolution, given that some variations are heritable and that they can be passed from parents to offspring in the process of reproduction, including evolution by natural selection. While talking about reproduction, I’ll explain how sex drives evolution going back to the origin of species and ending in the present time with...
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...you have just explained is not evolution but adaptation. And we as Muslims have got no objection to accept this. And what you also outlined is the concept of Natural selection and survival of the fittest. Again we as Muslims have got no objection to accept this. According to your explanation, you say that Darwin never states that there is a change of kind in evolutionary biology. If I agree with this, then this means the atheists and evolutionary biologists have lied for more than 200 years when they say we have been evolved from apes . We have been deceived by the likes of Richard Dawkins and other scientists who believed in this. There are 2 categories of evolutionary biology. Micro-evolution and macro-evolution. Micro-evolution is evolutionary change WITHIN a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period. However, macro-evolution is evolution on a scale of SEPERATED gene pools and focuses on change that occurs at or above the level of species. What you spoke about viruses and bacteria evolving is under the micro-evolution and therefore we as Muslims have no problem to accept micro-evolution. The problem comes in macro-evolution where it says one species changes to another kind. There is not a single observational evidence to support this. The most common evidence given by atheists for this is Darwin's finches where the size of beaks changes over time to adapt to a different environment. Again, this is not macro-evolution because they still remain to be...
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...Is Quantum Teleportation Possible Introduction Teleportation is the name given by science fiction writers to the feat of making an object or person disintegrate in one place while a perfect replica appears somewhere else. How this is accomplished is usually not explained in detail, but the general idea seems to be that the original object is scanned in such a way as to extract all the information from it, then this information is transmitted to the receiving location and used to construct the replica, not necessarily from the actual material of the original, but perhaps from atoms of the same kinds, arranged in exactly the same pattern as the original. A teleportation machine would be like a fax machine, except that it would work on 3-dimensional objects as well as documents, it would produce an exact copy rather than an approximate facsimile, and it would destroy the original in the process of scanning it. A few science fiction writers consider teleporters that preserve the original, and the plot gets complicated when the original and teleported versions of the same person meet; but the more common kind of teleporter destroys the original, functioning as a super transportation device, not as a perfect replicator of souls and bodies. In 1993 an international group of six scientists, including IBM Fellow Charles H. Bennett, confirmed the intuitions of the majority of science fiction writers by showing that perfect teleportation is indeed possible in principle, but...
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...Clicker set up CLICKERS Remove clear plastic batter strip Set channel 41 Press Ch 4 1 Ch You see a RED/ORANGE light, Then GREEN [OLDER CLICKERS Evidence for evolution GO 4 1} F. Dooley (Fall 2015) pg 3/21 Clicker set up To answer a question Press ONE button for your response (DO NOT press Ch) You see a green light If you change your mind while polling is open: Press another button; the computer records your last response Evidence for evolution F. Dooley (Fall 2015) pg 4/21 Clicker set up To answer a question, cont. Discuss and re-answer: you must respond again with your clicker even if your answer is UNCHANGED Clicker malfunction during lecture See John or Christine at the podium after class Evidence for evolution F. Dooley (Fall 2015) pg 5/21 Clicker set up Check your scores! The green light after answering does not confirm correct registration or proper clicker use Some clicker errors can be detected only by checking your scores Scores will be posted later today Email will alert you If your score is blank (-), email John jwparks@uw.edu right away Evidence for evolution F. Dooley (Fall 2015) pg 6/21 EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION Today’s question: How can hypotheses be tested experimentally? Evidence for evolution F. Dooley (Fall 2015) pg 7/21 Clicker 1 Q1: Suppose you wanted to do an experiment on how a new blood pressure medication affects the risk of stroke. How could...
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...Abstract Understanding evolution helps us solve biological problems that impact our lives. There are excellent examples of this in the field of medicine. To stay one step ahead of pathogenic diseases, researchers must understand the evolutionary patterns of disease-causing organisms. To control hereditary diseases in people, researchers study the evolutionary histories of the disease-causing genes. In these ways, knowledge of evolution can improve the quality of human life. Evolution played an important role not only for the present day humans but all living things today. As you all know, we didn’t just evolve out of nothing, we all have an ancestor whose ancestor’s ancestor is our ancestor and so on. When we can’t go back any further because of the given facts, we know that was every organism’s common ancestor. To understand the importance of evolution, we must gather some understanding of the meaning of evolution. Here is biological evolution defined by one of the most respected evolutionary biologists, Douglas Futuyma. "In the broadest sense, evolution is merely change, and so is all-pervasive; galaxies, languages, and political systems all evolve. Biological evolution ... is change in the properties of populations of organisms that transcend the lifetime of a single individual. The ontogeny of an individual is not considered evolution; individual organisms do not evolve. The changes in populations that are considered evolutionary are those that are inheritable via the...
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...undergo a long and gradual processes of evolution, or do they exist for long periods of stasis – minimal change – and abruptly evolve into a different form? These two questions surround the debate of whether evolution occurs by phyletic gradualism, or by punctuated equilibrium, respectively. This paper will present both hypotheses and reasons for their prevalence, then it will argue one hypothesis with current research on the topic, finishing with suggestions for further research and direction. Hypotheses The hypothesis of gradual change is termed Phyletic Gradualism, and it describes evolution to happen as a slow and gradual process, whereby a large ancestral population transforms into a distinct descendent (Eldredge...
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...Reflection on Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne The textbook Why Evolution is True was an extremely easy read with lots of whimsical thoughts thrown in to keep you attentive. My decision to take an evolution class as an elective was one that I had to truly take some thought and time to finally enroll. While my religious ties are very deep, I needed to open my mind to the possibility of different explanations into the creation of the creatures that inhabit the earth. My fears and tension were calmed when I read the preface to the book Mr. Coyne stated it so well and to the point: Accepting evolution needn’t turn you into a despairing nihilist or rob your life of purpose and meaning. It won’t make you immoral or give you the sentiments of a Stalin or Hitler. Nor need it promote atheism, for enlightened religion has always found a way to accommodate the advances of science. In fact, understanding evolution should surely deepen and enrich our appreciation of the living world and our place in it. (Coyne, 2009, p. xx) With this introduction to the text and Mr. Coyne’s calming of my fears that I would not burn in hell or be betraying my religion by opening my mind and heart to the information that is being provided. Why not open my mind to the possibility that the Theory of Evolution has some truth that is proven by scientific facts, I believe in medicine and that is based on scientific facts and research. The journey through each of the chapters covered in, Is Evolution True? Your...
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