GENERAL BIOLOGY

Darwin’s Theory of
Evolution
 Evolution or change over time, is the
process by which modern organisms
have descended from ancient organisms.
 It is a change in the genetic makeup (and
often, the heritable features) of a
population over time.
 Two Types Of Evolution Based On Scale

Macroevolution Microevolution
 It refers to large-scale  It refers to small-scale
changes that occur changes that affect just
over extended time one or a few genes and
periods, such as the happen in populations
formation of new over shorter
species and groups. timescales.
 Evidence of Evolution
Populations constantly adapt to variations in their
environmental and thereby gather changes in the
genes that are existing to the species through its
gene pool. Charles Darwin proposed the idea that
all new species descend from ancestors. Thus, he
performed an exhaustive amount of research to
provide as much evidence as possible.
 Evidence of Evolution
Pieces of evolution are divided into two groups: Direct and
Indirect.

 Direct evidence can be directly observed or

seen, such as fossil evidence.
 Indirect evidence does not involved actual
observation of evolution. Evolution has taken
place such of homologous, analogous, and
vestigial structures, embryology and
biogeography.
 Evidence of Evolution
Fossil
 Are the remnants of a creature
from the primitive times. It is
generally formed when an
organism is covered by sediments
that then harden into sandstone,
slate, mudstone, or flint.
 Organisms also fossilize when
buried in volcanic ash or
entombed in tar or tree sap.
 Evidence of Evolution
Fossil
 By simply studying fossils
occurring in different strata of
rocks, geologists can reconstruct
evolutionary change time and
course.
 Through this fossil experts can
confirm that species are not fixed
but can evolve into other species
over time.
 Evidence of Evolution
Homologous Structures
 Are the structures that have
different mature forms in
different organisms, but
develop from the same
embryonic tissue.
 Evidence of Evolution
Analogous Structures
 Are the structures that shows
similar selective pressures
that produce similar
adaptations or beneficial
features.
 They are identical only in
function.
 Evidence of Evolution
Embryology
 Scientist proclaimed that “ontogeny
summarizes phylogeny”.
 Simply means that this theory
propose that if a certain organism
undergo its embryonic development
(ontogeny), it duplicates
(recapitulates) the stages in its
evolutionary history (phylogeny).
Embryology
These resemblances can
be traced to the
conservative nature of
embryology; small changes
on the early development
can have severe
significances in advanced
phases concluded a “
domino effect.”
 Evidence of Evolution
Biogeography
 The geographic distribution of
organisms on Earth follows
patterns that are best
explained by evolution, in
combination with the
movement of tectonic plates
over geological time.
 It is a science that deals with
the geographical distribution
 THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
Theory of Acquired Characteristics
 Lamarck is best known for this
theory.
 This theory states that if an
organism changes during life in
order to adapt to its environment,
those changes are passed on its
offspring.
 He said that change is made by
what the organisms want or
need.
 THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
Theory of Catastrophism
 George Cuvier is commonly credited with
establishing extinction as part of Earth’s natural
processes.
 Georges Cuvier’s theory stated that Earth’s history
was dominated by catastrophic events that shaped
the structure and types of life on Earth.
 When organisms become extinct, it means that
there are no more living individuals of that species
on Earth.
 THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
Theory of Uniformitarianism
 Uniformitarianism is a theory
based on the work of James
Hutton and made popular by
Charles Lyell in 19th century.
 This theory states that the
forces and processes
observable at earth’s surface
are the same that have
shaped earth’s landscape
throughout natural history.
 THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
Theory of Natural Selection
 English naturalist Charles Darwin developed
the idea of natural selection after a five-year
voyage to study plants, animals, and fossils
in South America and on islands in the
Pacific.
 Natural selection is the process through
which populations of living organisms adapt
and change .
 THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
Theory of Natural Selection
 The Struggle for Existence
-members of each species have to
compete for food, shelter and other life
necessities.

 Survival of the Fittest

-some individuals better suited