CheckPoint: Theories of Biology
Charles Darwin first came up with the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Darwin’s theorized that there was a scientific explanation for why there are so many different types of creatures and animals. The main part of the theory of Evolution by natural selection is that all animals change over time. Darwin’s theory was that over the generations all species will slowly evolve, or change, to better be suited for their environment. Over time the said species will actually evolve so much so that it will be recognized as an entirely new species. The theory of Inheritance was developed by a monk named Gregor Mendel. Mendel’s theory was that all living organisms, including plants and animals, have hereditary factors called “genes” that are passed on from the parent to the offspring. This is a proven factor in why offspring will have certain traits that are similar to the parents; i.e. eye color, height, or skin tone. Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, with the help of modern technology, discovered and theorized that all living organisms are composed of cells. This is known as the Cell Theory. Furthermore, the theory is that all living things are composed of cells, and these cells can only be created by already living cells. Delving further into this theory will explain how cells can split, divide and multiply into different cells which in turn will create a living thing. Biological Classification is the process of classifying each and every living species into groups. This task was created by Carolus Linneaus. Linneaus successfully categorized all the species by certain similarities and dramatic differences. Throughout the years the categorization process has changed a bit and the species have been grouped together with their presumed “family traits”. Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier experimented and founded the theory of Bioenergetics. Lavoisier’s discovery was that there are certain chemical reactions that create a definitive energy within the body of cells. Metabolism for example is an energy, and life force, that is created within a living organism. Homeostasis is a theory discovered by Claude Bernard. Homeostasis is the idea of organisms maintaining a certain core temperature inside of their bodies in order to survive the ever-changing external conditions. An example of this would be a warm blooded animal traveling across the snow. The animal’s external skin (or coat) would be cold, but the internal temperature of the animal would be warm, enabling the animal to continue functioning and breathing. The theory of Ecosystems is the oldest of all biological theories; So much so that there is no identifiable founder. An Ecosystem is the idea that organisms do not, cannot, function alone. All animals rely on another species of some kind; be it for food, shelter, or safety. Ecosystems are both great, and brittle, things. If one part of an Ecosystem dies, then it can severely influence all the species within it.