Chapter 11

Does the Theory of Evolution

Explain the Diversity of Life?

RELT 113 Origins of Life

Tree of life According to Evolution
Evolution depicts the diverse assemblage of
living things via an “evolutionary tree”
Tree of life According to Evolution
• All life forms that inhabit our planet share a
common origin billions of years ago, and
are part of the same tree of life.
• Evolution depicts the diverse assemblage of
living things via an evolutionary tree which
postulates all species are united by a branching
pattern of descent from common ancestor.
• Combined with complex interactions with other
life forms and environments has diversified and
expanded life into the myriad species we know
today.
• This ancestor, thought to have formed
spontaneously from nonliving materials, forms
the root of the tree.
• Each major evolutionary change or innovation is
represented by a new branch on the tree.
• The whole tree is held together by its roots and
major branching points.
 The root of the tree
• A whole set of significant gaps in
explanatory power can be found at the
tree’s base—in abiogenesis, or the
forming of life from nonliving materials.
• The first postulate of abiogenesis is the
production of simple organic molecules
(for example amino acids) from inorganic
materials.
 Polymerization
• Polymerization—the linking of the small
molecules together
While a few natural conditions allowing
polymerization have been found, none
help form the precise, complicated
sequence characteristic of molecules in
living cells
The gap between what random
polymerization process can be shown to
produce and the simple cell is enormous
 Cell Reproduction
• Another feature characterizing living things
is the ability to reproduce detailed copies
of themselves, which in turn are also able
to reproduce
Meiosis I: Separate the Homologues
Meiosis II: Separate the Sister Chromatids
This highly complex process involves a
whole suite of different molecules, all
interacting with one another in a precisely
directed way
• However, the entire complicated system of
molecules is required in order for the cell
to be able to copy itself
• If any part of the chain of interacting
molecules is missing, the entire process
fails and the cell cannot function or
reproduce itself
•
 Conclusion
• Point to ponder…
• Does the Theory of Evolution explain the
complexity and diversity of life?