...What is the most significant set of theories that explain the evolutionary history of our natural world and ongoing environmental change? The origin of life and earth is still one of the greatest mysteries scientists have yet to solve. Modern day science and technology allow us to make theoretically correct assumptions about the past. According to research, it is evident that the earth’s environment and life have been evolving since the beginning of time, which is still evident today as ecosystems and environments continue to change. Three theories that help explain the evolutionary history of our natural world and ongoing environmental change include natural selection, neutral theory of molecular evolution, and the transition into the Anthropocene epoch. Natural selection theory argues that life forms evolve in response to the changes in the environment. Neutral theory of molecular change argues that changes occur in organisms at a constant rate over time without the influence of the environment. Anthropocene is a relatively new term that suggests we have transitioned from the Holocene era to the Anthropocene, which is characterized human dominated activity. These theories are presented in various works, but this paper will focus on Life and the Evolution of Earth’s Atmosphere by Stephen J. Mojzsis, The Anthropocene: a new epoch of geological time? by Jan Zalasiewicz, Mark Williams, Alan Haywood, and Michael Ellis, and The Modern Molecular Clock by Lindell Bromham and David...
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...Are Modern Humans Still Evolving?In the year eighteen fifty-nine, Charles Darwin published a book which he called “The Origin of Species”. In this book Darwin theorized that populations evolve over the years through a process called natural selection. Darwin realized that in a population, more individuals were born than could possibly survive, he also recognized that the individuals that survived and reproduced were the ones with some sort of competitive advantage over rival animals, therefore they were more likely to pass their useful traits down to their offspring (Darwin, 1859). As this process of natural selection occurred for millions of years, these desirable traits that were once only prevalent in a few individual animals became common traits for entire species (Winston, 2009). There are countless amounts of evidence that suggest that humans owe their existence to evolution, however, many people are skeptical as to whether or not it is still occurring, and whether or not it is happening in the same way. Some scientists hold that the human race has reached “its biological pinnacle and is no longer capable of changing” (McKie, 2005, ¶1). Alternatively, some experts believe that humans are evolving faster than ever (Sample, 2007), and others believe it is still happening, just on different terms. There has not been any deciding evidence as to whether or not humans are still evolving, however, saying it isn’t happening is a very difficult position to defend. Gene mutations...
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...Generally regarded as the most prominent of the nineteenth-century evolutionary theorists, Charles Darwin is primarily known for his, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, the publication of which in 1859 ushered in a new era of naturalistic thinking that was to influence not only the field of biological science, but also the disciplines of art, literature, philosophy, and theology”(2). In the work Darwin identified genetic mutation and natural selection as the mechanisms that controlled the development of species. His theory introduced the concept of ever-present competitive struggle in nature, “There by decentering the commonly held Romantic view of nature as a benign, even benevolent force, and pushed the role of God to the margins of human existence on earth”(2). Although one of many contributors to the field of evolutionary biology, Darwin is commonly associated with the popular acceptance of evolutionary theory, and his Origin is believed to be the impetus for an intellectual revolution as philosophers, social scientists, and writers began to explore the far reaching implications of his theory, which posed a serious challenge to the orthodoxy of Victorian religion, science, and philosophy. Darwin wrote several books on a range of scientific topics, including botany, zoology, and geology. “Among his earliest works, the Journal of Researches is as much a travelogue as a book on science...
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...unable to make scientific and logical connections between us humans and how we evolved from the world around us. There are a broad number of misconceptions that people have, but I decided to focus on 3 major ones: 1. Evolution is goal oriented. Many non-evolutionists say that if evolution existed, there would be some endpoint or “goal” that is reached. In other words, species are trying to become perfect. However, that is not the case. Every species is only adapting and evolving to fit their current needs and to thrive. They change because of environment, available nutrients, to stay better protected, and many other factors. Evolution works by the process of natural selection. Individuals with an advantage compared with others will survive better and leave more offspring. Only features which help current survival will be favored by natural selection. It cannot select features which might be useful in the future but are not useful now. The only competition between species is whether or not they reproduce; it has nothing to do with reaching any endpoint or goal. If evolution was truly goal oriented, everything would start evolving to look like each other because they are trying to become that one perfect species. Judging by the enormous diversity of life on earth, I think it’s safe to say that there is no change in that direction. Overall, we humans are not any farther along in evolution than an ant is. 2. Humans and apes do not share a common ancestor. Another common point...
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...4 fields of Anthropology (Bio/Physical, SocioCultural, Archaeology, Linguistics): Subfields of Anthropology • Socio‐Cultural Anthropology – Study of living peoples • Biological/Physical Anthropology – Evol i ut on of the human species – Study of physical remains of people – Adaptation of living peoples • Archaeology • Linquistics Bio‐Anthropology • Evolution of us (subject of this class) • Study of Primates • How the human species has physically ad d apte to different environments (bi l ) (biology) • Diversity of human species • Human health, past and present • Interpretation of human remains (forensics, osteology). Scientific Method (including steps in the scientific method) The Scientific Method • Basic belief that physical world is empirical and objective • Objective vs. interpretive information • All science is conducted within a cultural and social paradigm Observation Inductive Interpretation Coming up with Hypothesis • Use what we already know about the world to create hypothesis of what bees do: Testing Hypothesis • Create tests or design set of observations to test the hypothesis’ Refine Hypothesis/Create new ones • If hypothesis is rejected, can come up with new ones (alternatives) to test • If hypothesis is supported, can further refine it or come up with alternatives that could also be “correct” – Could tomatoes be naturally pollinated in other ways? • Occam's razor: accept the simplest explanation that works Testing hypothesis is repeatable • Our results...
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...Charles Darwin was very interested in how species changed over time, he had studied fossils and other creatures as he travelled the world and found some to be more familiar to others. This realization that there were similar species roaming the earth led to his theory of natural selection. On one of his journeys to the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin began to study finches, a bird found on many of the different islands. To his discovery he recognized that some of the finches had bigger beaks than others. He went on to find that the different islands had different types of living conditions and food resources. Due to the different food Charles concluded that there was a reason these birds were almost similar in size but their beaks were completely...
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...How are the thoughts and feelings presented in the extract from Origin of the Species? Compare to War of the Worlds. The extract from Darwin’s Origin of Species – ‘Recapitulation and Conclusion’ – presents Darwin’s final ideas of Natural Selection and to convince and challenge the scientific community, as well as the general population due to the religious controversy. Similarly to Darwin’s extract, the novel ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H. G. Wells also challenges traditional thinking and presents ideas of Natural Selection. However, indicates a sense of fear and shock at the rate of changing opinions which are presented through language, structure and form. Both the extract and the novel present ideas of change in the fields of science and religion. Darwin presents the idea that science is much more powerful than originally thought. Although, does not dismiss religion, therefore creating a balanced argument, which makes his theologies more accepted by the readers. ‘…not as special creations, but lineal the descendants…’ This quote is representative of Darwin’s controversial ideas as he is disagreeing with past assumptions by suggesting a limit to God’s power – ‘not as special creations...’, highlighting that man or God has...
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...In a section of Ethics: Theory and Practice entitled “Biological and Genetic Determinism” Thiroux and Krasemann explain: “Biological determinism is best exemplified by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, which he presented in his most famous work, The Origin of Species. Darwin (1809-1882) believed that various species in nature evolve at different stages in the history of the world and that only the fittest survive. For example, even though some prehistoric animals (I.e. dinosaurs) were extremely large and powerful, their brain capacity and mental ability were so limited that they did not survive, whereas smaller and more intelligent beings, such as human, did. Darwin suggested that this process of natural selection essentially has nothing to do with freedom. He believed that it is nature that governs, through its various processes, the makeup, strength, and survival potential of the various species, and that the species that emerge as dominant are determined by the stage along the evolutionary scale at which they appear”. In a paragraph following, both authors reckon: “A more modern and sophisticated version of this theory is concerned with genetic makeup, especially that of human beings. None of us has any say over the identity of our parents, from where we inherit our genes; and because our genes determine so much of our makeup—our sex, mental potential, and eye, hair, and skin color—how can we be said to be free in any real sense of the word?” (Thiroux et al. 93-94) ...
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...evolution. It is very important to compare the individual lifestyles, contributions, and beliefs of Darwin and Wallace in order to develop a clear and comprehensive understanding of their concepts of natural selection in evolution. According to Janet Browne (2010) in her biography of Darwin, she describes the similarities in the life experiences of Darwin and Wallace that led them to independently arrive at the theory of natural selection. Both Wallace and Darwin were inspired by the readings such as Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus. Browne notes that, “Even so, the parallels between Darwin’s and Wallace’s ideas are no less remarkable for their cultural symmetry. Their similarities are further demonstrated by them sharing similar geographical exploration and travel experiences and their mutual appreciations of their marvels of nature and overwhelming desire to comprehend them…” (Browne 2010: 357). The two theorists examined the concepts of natural selection independently until its publication. By the 1958, Darwin had already developed his idea on natural selection but had not published it as he was still collecting more evidence. After his previous research had been destroyed in his journey back to England from Brazilian Amazon, Wallace resumed his research on natural selection while at Archipelago which was marked by his famous “letter to Darwin” that contained an essay discussing a theory very similar to Darwin’s. The situation was very challenging as these two theorists had...
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...Integrated Natural Science (INT1) Task 1 The Changing Nature Of Science Evolution Evolution :- All living beings have developed over time from ancestors through a series of changes. That life has changed over long periods of time, with all forms of life related to one another, is a scientifically well-established fact. There are two aspects of evolution today. First, evolution is the organizing principle for all of biology. Just as we are offspring from our parents, and our grandparents before them, and so on, all living organisms today are inclined from organisms that lived in the past. Understanding how and why these ancestor-descendent lineages have changed through time helps us appreciate the diversity of life we see today. Genetics, anatomy, physiology, neurology, morphology, and behavior all of these aspects of living organisms have evolved through time. The study of the evolutionary processes that produced these traits provides the comprehensive framework for understanding them. Theory Of Evolution Evolution Theory: - Evolution is technically defined as: "a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form." As it is most famously used, "evolution" is the process by which an organism becomes more sophisticated over time and in response to its environment. The Theory of Evolution is currently the most popular concept of how life reached its current state. Evolution as a biological mechanism is driven by natural selection...
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...Human nature, a term that is widely used to describe the feelings, characteristics and behavioral traits shared by all humans, according to Wikipedia. However, to fully comprehend what human nature is we should examine both the physical and psychological aspects in more depth. Through the required readings for this essay, cited on the reference page, I was able to explore several views that help support my position on human nature. I believe that human nature is derived from a complex combination of genetic, or physiopsychology, behavioral, or cognitive psychology, and environmental, or social psychology. Simply put, human nature is a combination of both trait and state psychology. There are certainly practical advantages for considering even the simplest understanding of human nature as it relates to business, culture and productivity all of which I intend to prove throughout this reaction paper. Let’s examine physical psychology in more depth. Research has provided us with information suggesting that a person is born with certain abilities as it relates to the make-up of the brain, nerves, hormones and other physical factors. These items collectively create our psychological core of which sets limits as to how much information we can process. In other words, when we are born we’re “hard-wired” with a certain capacity to process and interpret information at some level. According to Nicolson (1998), humans are hard-wired due our drive for survival which stems from...
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...Old Dominion University Human Adaptation and Variation Alyssa Carlson 01005378 ANTR 110S_10772 Dr. Elva Smith 24 November 2014 Human biological diversity encompasses much more than the characteristics seen by the naked eye. Our species walked new and unique paths to arrive at our present existence. Our journey resulted in the achievement of many innovative and unique physiognomies allowing us to survive and reproduce. What characteristics have our species evolved and which most greatly shaped our evolution by conferring additional advantages in survivorship? Although there are many remarkable characteristics that have evolved the most striking variance and adaptation amongst the human population is variation in skin color. The fascination lies in the fact that for centuries the human body has used continuing adaptation to protect humans in different ways such as disease and protection from the sun. Scientists have made considerable progress in explaining variation in human skin color, along with many other features of biological and genetic diversity. Diversities of skin color are a result of natural selection. Over periods of time, adaptation has allowed the favored types to survive by natural selection. In addition, the color of one’s skin goes well beyond the surface as a result of geographic distribution. With years of struggle against nature behind us, human bodies have acclimated to...
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...accepted as a fact by many, but new research has shown something people did not expect. Some scientists believe that evolution does not answer where life came from and uses natural selection and evolution interchangeably. New research shows that mutations do not allow evolution to occur. A recent study questions the age of fossils and the most trusted dating method, radioisotope dating. Finally, the eruption of Mount St. Helens changed the view of erosion and sedimentation. A big issue in evolution is where life came from. Even if one assumes that humans evolved from Protozoa, they still have a question; where did the protozoa come from? Ker Than explains that scientists do not know. There are endless possibilities to explain...
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...science. One wonders if possible convergence in these fields in the discussion, that is, if you can address both creationism and evolutionism from science, philosophy and religion. Theory of Evolution In science the theory of evolution explains the huge variety of life arising by postulating a process of transformation through changes in genes that lead to new adaptations to the environment. By studying the genetic structure of living beings is a verifiable fact that they are related to each other and, therefore, aims to have a common origin as the emergence of new species due to the accumulation of changes that do diverge and take different paths to adaptation to the environment. In the scientific world, biological evolution represents the interpretative key of the living world. Life began about 3500 makes 4000 million years in the form of single-celled organisms without nuclei and took about two billion years to produce the first eukaryotes (unicellular organisms with nuclei), so the start was given very slowly. However, in evolutionary history there are times with a high evolutionary rate as the Cambrian period (540 to 520 million years, they were many forms of multicellular life). They also appeared on, very quickly, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and later about six million years of evolutionary divergence that led to the separation of anthropomorphic apes and hominids, which later give rise to appear homo sapiens. The theory of evolution falls within...
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...Natural Selection Christine D. Bacon Abstract: There are factors in nature that determine whether or not an organism can live in certain environments and consequently, these same factors can lead to population decline and further extinction. With this information can, and how, do organisms adapt to their environments? Students will form hypotheses about processes of natural selection and expand with a discussion of what controls natural populations. The concept will be introduced using two islands with the same populations. Our study will test which species will experience extinction. Using various types of beans, students will test which kinds (species) are able to pass through their "time tunnel", a container with a hole in the bottom. Data collection and graphing will also be an emphasis of this laboratory exercise, enabling projection of ebbs and flows of ancient and future populations. Grade Level(s): 7th Objectives: • Form hypotheses, test, graph, and analyze results • Understand the process of natural selection and what may control populations, including the concepts of adaptation and extinction • Enforce reading skills of cause and effect though identifying factors that cause natural selection • Improve map interpretation skills by following the voyage of the HMS Beagle on a world map • Refine data collection strategies and management • Explore appropriateness of graphs National Standards: Standard A: Science as...
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