Evolution and Lifes Diversity Video Evolution Process of

Evolution and Life’s Diversity Video

Evolution Process of change in species over time (ie. Process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms) l The idea that life on earth has changed over time l

Charles Darwin Made major contributions to theory of evolution l Sailed in 1831 around the world and collected animal and plant specimens from the locations he visited l Darwin discovered an enormous number of species l Eg. Found 60 beetles in one day l Found evidence that more species had vanished than existed l

Darwin’s Voyage

Diversity of Life l Tremendous variety of living things – different shapes, sizes, habits, etc. l Estimation of 3 – 20 million living organisms l Researchers believed, of all species that have lived on earth, 99. 9% are now extinct (confirming Darwin’s beliefs)

Fitness to Survive and Reproduce Fitness l the physical and behavioural traits enable organisms to survive and reproduce in their environment

Darwin’s argument l Modern organisms were produced by evolution l Each new species came from pre-existing species (called this principle common descent) that fitness arrived through adaptation l That successful adaptations enabled organism to become better suited to their environment, and thus better able to survive and reproduce (these could be inherited traits like long neck of a giraffe)

Common descent l All species have shared or common ancestors Adaptation l Fitness arises from changes that enable organisms to become better suited to their environment, better able to survive and to reproduce Vi`deo