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Evolution Chapter Notes

The document discusses the origin of life and human evolution, highlighting key concepts in evolutionary biology such as chemical evolution and Darwin's theory of natural selection. It outlines evidence for evolution including fossils, homologous and vestigial organs, and molecular evidence. The evolution of humans is traced from early ancestors like Australopithecus to modern Homo sapiens.

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37 views2 pages

Evolution Chapter Notes

The document discusses the origin of life and human evolution, highlighting key concepts in evolutionary biology such as chemical evolution and Darwin's theory of natural selection. It outlines evidence for evolution including fossils, homologous and vestigial organs, and molecular evidence. The evolution of humans is traced from early ancestors like Australopithecus to modern Homo sapiens.

Uploaded by

aryan gupta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Human Evolution

Origin of life
o Evolutionary biology is the field of science that deals with the study of
evolutionary development of life forms on earth
o Big-bang theory explains the origin of the universe.
o Scientists believed that life originated through chemical evolution.
o Formation of biomolecules ’ First life form

o According to Oparin and Haldane, the primitive atmosphere was


reducing as it lacked oxygen. The atmosphere was rich in methane, water
vapour, ammonia and carbon dioxide.
o The temperature was high and volcanic eruptions were frequent.
o Urey and Miller experimentally confirmed that formation of life was
preceded by chemical evolution.
o Branching descent and natural selection are the key concepts of
Darwin's theory.
" Evidences of evolution -
o Fossils
o Homologous organs
Analogous organs
o Vestigial organs
o Comaprative anatomy and morphology
o Embryological evidences
o Molecular evidences

The slow and gradual process of change of one organism into another is known
as Organic Evolution.
The occurrence of evolution has been supported by various theories put forth by
biologists.
" In 1809, Jean Baptiste Lamarck a French zoologist put forth the theory of
inheritance of acquired characters; also known as Lamarckism.
" He stated that according to their need, organisms put some organs in thei
bodies to maximum use while some of the organs were not used. The part of the
body put to maximum use willhave the tendency to grow larger and stronger
while the part less used will become less prominent and ultimately disappear
altogether. Thus, the organisms acquired new characters. For example, giraffe
have developed long necks as a result of attempts to eat leaves high up on trees.
Darwinism

" According to Darwin, evolution took place by natural selection.


Another aspect of natural selection is the survival of the fittest, where nature
selects the individuals, which are most fit, to adapt to their environment.

Evolution of man
Homo sapiens
Modem man

Neanderthal man (Cranial capacity around 1400cc)

Homo erectus (Cranial capacity around 900cc)

Homo habilis (Cranial capacity around 650- 800cc)


1"human-like being

Australopithecus (2 mya)

Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus (15 mya)


(More ape-like) (More human -like)

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