Introduction

Evolution is one of the most controversial areas in biology. Much of this has to do with the fact that no one was alive to see when life began. There are many scientific theories that have been proposed explaining how evolution occurred and how it continues to take place. However, no one theory has been totally accepted by everyone.

The Catholic Church has also taken a stance on evolution, which conflicts with some of the ideas of researchers. However, in recent years, scientists, theologians and other experts have come to agree on some of the basic principles of evolution.

In this unit, students will investigate some of the early ideas presented by Darwin and Lamarck. They will investigate these theories for their validity and the most likely explanations for evolution will be examined. Finally, students will explore theories for human evolution and how we have come to be the people that we are today.

Core Terminology

The following terminology will used within this unit.

Evolution

Coevolution

Fitness

Adaptation

Charles Darwin

Jean Baptiste de Lamarck

Stanley Miller

Archaeologist

Spontaneous generation

Anthropologist

Fossil

Relative dating

Radioactive dating

Half- life

Era

Fossil record

Paleontologist

Sedimentary rock

Embryo

Homologous structure

Vestigial organ

Artificial selection

Natural selection

Survival of the fittest

Population

Gene pool

Speciation

Niche

Adaptive radiation

Divergent evolution

Convergent evolution

Analogous structure

Genetic drift

Gradualism

Equilibrium

Extinction

Binocular vision

Anthropoid

Hominoid

Hominid

Primate

Homo sapien