Evolution Study GuidePage 1 of 7

Evolution Study Guide

Overview

Evolution is the study of the changes in species over time.Mr. Ardito's Mechanism of Evolution

Evolution Study GuidePage 2 of 7

Sources of ChangeOverproduction

Individuals tend to produce lots of offspring. They have many more children than just the twoneeded to reproduce the parents.This is a good strategy. Since the world is a cold, difficult place, overproduction makes it more likelythat at least some of the many offspring will make it to adulthood and reproduce (which is the goalof life from an evolutionary standpoint).

Genetic Variation

The passing of the genetic material from parent to offspring makes good copies, but not perfectcopies.Offspring are very similar to their parents but not exactly the same.This is a good thing because it allows species to adapt to changes in their environment.

Struggle for Existence/Competition

In nature, there is a limited amount of food, water, good climate, shelter, and acceptable mates.These limited resources must be used by the large number of organisms that are around thanks toOverproduction.This struggle for these limited resources leads to competition between individuals of the samespecies and individuals across species for the food, water, shelter, good climate, and acceptablemates.Competition is the basic condition necessary for evolution. Without the need for competition, therewould be no "survival of the fittest."Remember, you don't have to be faster than the bear, you just have to be faster than the otherguy the bear is chasing.

Differential Survival and Reproduction

Individuals that are best suited for their environment are the most likely to survive and reproduce.Those individuals are also most likely to pass on the traits that allow them to adapt to theirenvironment to their offspring.This is a key part of Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection.

Evidence of Evolution

Fossil Record

from Regentsprep.org

The collection of fossils tells a story about the evolution of species.Typically, the oldest fossils are the ones furthest down. The newer ones are closestto the top.There are also several ways to see how old a fossil is.