What to put in the "Introduction to Evolution Thread

[Cycle4Fun]

1st Draft

Evolution is the scientific theory that groups of organisms change with the passage of time, mainly as a result of natural selection, so that descendants differ in form, structure and function from their ancestors (1).

The theory has two basic parts.  The first part is the statement that organisms change over time.  This is called the fact of evolution.  The second part describes how that occurs.  This is the theory of evolution.  This article will discuss the theory of evolution, followed by the supporting facts and evidence.

A note on origins.  Evolution does not discuss the origin of life.  Evolution covers what happens after life begins.  The area of science covering the origin of life is called abiogenesis.

The Theory of Evolution

If you are new to the theory, or do not have a scientific background, begin with the closely monitored Wikipedia article, Introduction to Evolution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_evolution

Begin an in depth discovery of the theory of evolution by watching DonExodus2’ videos How Evolution Works.  DonExodus2 has a BS in Evolutionary Biology and is a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  He covers the depth and breadth of the current theory of evolution in a short, concise, and understandable manner.

Be sure to stop the video and go back over a section if you didn’t understand a concept.  I know I did in several places!  Remember, you’re learning about the theory.  You’re not expected to understand it completely the first time.

How Evolution Works by DonExodus2
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=019F146277A3EDFD

The University of Berkeley has put together a free online introductory class to evolution.  Take their course, Evolution 101.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01

Between these two sources you should have developed an understanding of the modern theory of evolution.

Additional Sources:
1.  CDK007.  How Evolution Really Works: (YouTube video series)




2.  Evolution.  Wikipedia. (highly cited, suggested reading list)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution

References not linked:
1.  The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007,

Next up:

[Tails_155]

AronRa and DonExodus2 have good video information, and The Origin of Species has plenty of info, perhaps a little history, the finches, etc.

[Cycle4Fun]

Part 2 discussing the fact and evidence of evolution.

The Fact and Evidence of Evolution

When you look in the mirror what do you see?  You’re looking at a primate of the species homosapien.  You share many of the traits of your parents.  Your hair, eye and skin color, your height, susceptibility to certain diseases, the very person you see is due to your parents.

You also share many of those unique traits with a larger group of people.  Asians, Africans, Europeans, Native Americans.  All have unique characteristics as a group.  Expanding the search outward we see homosapiens share many of the same traits as apes, chimpanzees and monkeys.  Science has taken us back 3 billion years to the very beginning of life on this planet.  Let’s look at just a tiny fraction of the evidence.

Once again we turn to the University of Berkley and their site Understanding Evolution.  The subcategory, What is the Evidence of Evolution, contains links to multiple sources, current findings, and methods.

What is the Evidence of Evolution
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/search/topicbrowse2.php?topic_id=46

Subcategories under What is the Evidence:
1.  Lines of Evolution: discusses Fossil Evidence, Homologies, Distribution in Time and Space, and evidence by example.
2.  15 Evolutionary Gems is an article found in the journal Nature discussing 15 articles that have appeared in their journal over the past decade.
3.  A Webcast from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute where Dr. Kingsley discusses the original objections of Darwin’s theory and how modern evidence supports the theory of evolution.
4.  Clair Patterson discusses how radiometric dating is used to provide evidence of an ancient Earth and ancient life.
5.  Wallace and Wegener’s concept of Biogeography; how a species current distribution can be explained by evolution and continental drift.

The Tree of Life Web Project is a collaborative effort of biologists from around the world. On more than 10,000 World Wide Web pages, the project provides information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their evolutionary history (phylogeny), and characteristics.  Yes, 10,000 sources discussing the evidence of evolution.

The Tree of Life Web Project
http://www.tolweb.org/tree/

Human Evolution
The Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution is one of the best resources for human evolution.  Take a look.
http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/

18 Additional sources on human evolution can be found at:
http://www.tolweb.org/Homo/16418

The fact of evolution is undeniable.  The theory of evolution explains how it all happened.