Teaching Evolution A Students Perspective Abdullah Allaoa Tyniqua

Teaching Evolution: A Students‘ Perspective Abdullah Allaoa & Tyniqua Hinton NYC College of Technology (CUNY), Department of Biological Sciences Bioogy II (BIO 1201) Results Abstract Discussion 1. Evolution is a process Mechanisms of evolution Based on the evidence found in our Many may wonder “where do we come research we learned that by using from? ” Over time, scientists have pondered 1. Mechanisms of evolution Definition Change in DNA, which will affect physiology, behavior & looks. the concepts and methods of and tested the concept of evolution. Simply a. Mutation b. Migration The movement of populations, group, or individuals which will enable the evolution—the mechanisms of put, evolution is gradual change over time. gene flow. c. Genetic Drift Change in genetic composition of the population due to random events, change and the three principles of A major tenet of evolution is natural therefore changing the characteristics of species over time. natural selection —a clear selection, which includes three principles d. Coevolution Species reciprocally affect each others evolution. e. Natural Selection Survival and reproduction of the organisms that are genetically best understanding of the processes of life which are variation in population, adapted to the environment. on earth and an understanding that differential reproduction due to competition, things were not always how they and heredity. These principles are appear to be today took hold. An supported by multiple lines of evidence, environment that is constantly including biochemical, geographical, fossil, changing led to the current variety of and anatomical evidence. By providing life on earth. We presented this data tangible, real-world examples of evolution, as a 15 minutes Powerpoint ® we hope to provide a clear understanding lecture, constructed by the members of this long-studied scientific breakthrough, of this project. After the lecture, a while at the same time showing how Acacia tree + Female queen Acacia ant = survey was conducted to determine animals (including us) are related to each Air pollution killed the lichens. White moths were now visible to predators. the usefulness of the information we other, and be aware of different formations symbiotic relationship Natural selection “selected for” evolving in various species. individuals that could blend into the new presented. Based on 17 responses surroundings: brown moths. (including biology professors, family members, and fellow NYCCT 2. Evidence of evolution Definition a. Fossil evidence Any part or trace of organism preserved in a rock or students), ~90% of those surveyed Background sediment. agreed that our method of presenting b. Biogeographical evidence When population become geographically Over time, people have questioned the discontinuous, the free-flow of alleles is prevented. evolution was strongly effective. origin of life on earth. During the 17 th c. Anatomical evidence : Homologous structure Structure in organisms that share the same basic form d. Anatomical evidence : Vestigial structure Structures with no apparent function; residual parts century, a new era of reasoning ensued from a past common ancestor that gave birth to a scientific revolution. e. Embryology The study of embryo development Advances in medicine and technology f. Biochemical evidence The structures of the molecules of life reflect descent with modification. helped scientists find evidence leading up to today’s theory of evolution, as well as the three principles of natural selection and demonstrate how all life forms are related. Still, there are many misconceptions about evolution, including that evolution is permanent. Contrastingly, evolution has been shown to be an ongoing process of change in organisms, enabling a species to survive in a constantly changing environment. 50 million years ago the ancestor of Other mammals find tails useful for balance, References modern whales was a four-legged land dweller. Methods but humans have a well developed nervous system that replaced the need for a tail bone. Understanding Evolution, from http: //evolution. berkeley. edu/evolibrary/search/imagedetail. php? id=2 78&topic_id=&keywords= We sought answers for the questions many people have concerning evolution; such as, how, why, when, and where does evolution happen? We learned information about theory of evolution, as developed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace, by analyzing scientific evidence showcased at the American Museum of Natural History, in textbooks and online resources. And, in doing so, we constructed a fun way to present evolution as it is globally known today. Rye, Connie, Yael Avissar, Jung Ho Choi, Jean De. Saix, Vladimir Jurukovski, and Robert R. Wise. Biology. Houston, TX: Open. Stax College, Rice U, 2013. Print. William Martin, History of evolution in ancient greece. (2012). From http: //launchistory. blogspot. com/2012/04/theory-of-evolution-inancient-greece. html Mader, Sylvia S. , Michael Windelspecht, and April Cognato. Biology. New York, NY: Mc. Graw-Hill, 2013. Print. The early embryological stages of a lemur (left), pig (middle), and human (right) show strikingly similar anatomical features. A comparison between cow, pig, and horse DNA sequences will show that the cow is more closely related to the pig than either is to the horse. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Drs. Mercer Brugler & Tatiana Voza for giving us this opportunity and mentoring us throughout the semester. We would also like to thank the Honors Scholars Program for the workshops on abstract writing & presentation. We would also like to thank the Bozeman Science website for all the videos they provided us to understand the mechanisms of evolution.