KT’S PowerNotes

EVOLUTION
Theories Of Evolution Oparin and Haldane proposed that the first form
of life could have come from pre-existing non-living
Origin of universe organic molecules (e.g., RNA, protein, etc.)
• Explained by Big Bang theory
• Singular huge explosion unimaginable in physical Features of first non-cellular forms
terms -- Hydrogen and Helium formed -- gases  Giant molecule having RNA, Protein etc
condensed under gravitation – galaxies formed –  ability to reproduce
earth formed  formed in water

Origin of earth Theory of special creation

• Initial earth was in molten form 1. All living organisms (species or types) that we see
• Molten earth released Water vapour, methane, today were created as such (by God)
carbon dioxide and ammonia (no oxygen) 2. Diversity was always the same since creation and
• UV rays from the sun brokeup water into Hydrogen will be the same in future also
and Oxygen 3. Earth is about 4000 years old
• Oxygen combined with ammonia and methane to This theory was rejected by, Charles Darwin based
form water, CO2 on observation during a sea voyage in H.M.S. Beagle
Darwin said, there is a Gradual evolution of life

• Ozone layer formed →blocked UV rays → earth Darwin’s Observations

atmosphere cooled down → water vapor fall as a
rain on earth

Origin of life

Theory of Panspermia
Alfred Wallace
• Units of life called spores were transferred to
different planets including earth • Worked in Malay Archipelago
• similar conclusion as Darwin, “All the existing life
Theory of spontaneous generation forms share similarities and share common
• Life came out of decaying and rotting matter like ancestors”
straw, mud, etc
Evidences for evolution
• This theory is rejected by Louis Pasteur
1) Paleontological evidence:
Theory of chemical evolution
Study of fossils for evolution purpose
Inorganic molecule (CH4, NH3) → organic molecule
(Amino acid, carbohydrates) → Non cellular form of
2) Embryological support for evolution
Life → cellular form of life
• Given by Ernst Heckle
• He said certain features during embryonic stage
Miller experiment
(e.g., gills slit) common to all vertebrates that are
• Inorganic molecule (CH4, NH3) → organic absent in adult
molecule
• Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny
• Gases used: CH4, H2, NH3
• Rejected by Karl Ernst von Baer, said “Embryos
and water vapour (Oxygen)
never pass through the adult stages of other
• Temperature used: 8000C. animals”
• Observation: Amino acids
formed

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3) Homologous Organs 7) Adaptive radiation
Original Seed eating bird
located in one area of
Galapagos Islands migrated
to other habitat of island
leading to evolution of
different species k/a
adaptive radiations

Examples of Adaptive radiations:

Examples  Darwin’s finches,
• Vertebrate hearts or brains,  Placental Mammals in Australia
• Thorn and tendrils of Bougainvillea and Cucurbita  Australian marsupials

4) Analogous Organs When more than one

adaptive radiation
appeared to have
occurred in an
isolated
geographical area
(representing
different habitats),
Examples one can call this
• Wings of butterfly and of birds convergent
• Eye of the octopus and of mammals evolution.
• The flippers of Penguins and Dolphins
• Sweet potato (root modification) and potato (stem
modification)

6) Natural selection

Mechanism of evolution

1) Darwin’s theory of natural Selection

• Observations by Darwin

• Other examples of natural selection

Resistance to antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides etc

• Natural selection leads to:

1) Stabilisation (more individuals based on phenotype
acquire mean character value),
2) Directional change (more individuals
acquire value other than the mean
character value) e.g. Industrial melanism • Two key concepts of Darwinian Theory
3) Disruption (more individuals acquire peripheral  Branching descent and
character value at both ends of the distribution curve)  Natural selection

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2) Theory of inheritance of acquired character Origin and evolution of man

• Given by Lamarck
• Evolution occurs by use and disuse of organs
Dryopithecus
• Acquired characters are inheritable
Ape Like
• Theory is rejected by everybody
Ramapithecus
Ape man stage

Australopithecus
Walked upright
Not more than 4ft
3) DeVries Theory of Mutation
• DeVries worked on evening primrose
• Stated mutations are large difference
arising suddenly in a population. Homo Habilis
• DeVries believed in saltation (single step First Human like
large mutation). brain capacities 800cc
• Also stated mutations are random and directionless Used stone tool
• Mutation causes speciation (evolution) No Meat (Vegetarian)
Note: Darwin’s variations are small and directional,
Evolution for Darwin was gradual
Homo Erectus
Hardy-Weinberg principle brain around 900cc
Ate meat
• This principle states “frequency of occurrence of
alleles of a gene remain the constant through
generations” i.e., the gene pool remains a constant
or remains in genetic equilibrium Neanderthal man
• p + q = 1, hence, p2+2pq+q2=1 brain size of 1400cc
• Change of frequency of alleles a result in Used hides
evolution. buried their dead
• factors that affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium,
leads to evolution:
1. Gene migration or gene flow,
2. Genetic drift, Homo sapiens
3. Mutation, Brain size 1650cc
4. Genetic recombination Cave Paintings
5. Natural selection. moved across continents
Agriculture
Change in allele frequency by chance is k/a Genetic
drift. The founder effect is a type of genetic drift
where variation results when a small subset of a large Some important lines :
population is used to establish a new colony. Evolution is not a directed process in the sense of
determinism. It is a stochastic process based on
A brief account of evolution chance events in nature and chance mutation in the
• Lobefin fish evolved into the first amphibians organisms.
• The amphibians evolved into reptiles.
• When reptiles came down mammals took over
earth. -----------------------------END----------------------------

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