Evolution

Student Learning Goals

1. I can describe the conditions under which fossils form.

2. I can identify different types of fossils.

3. I can relate the fossil record to the history of life on Earth.

4. I can outline the order that major groups of living things appeared on earth as life evolved.

5. I can outline how the absolute and relative age of fossils can be determined.

6. I can apply the Law of Superposition to determine the relative age of fossils.

7. I can outline some early contributions to the theory of evolution

8. I can relate natural selection to the theory of evolution.

9. I can describe how new species evolve.

10. I can evaluate evidence that suggests the organisms living on Earth today have evolved from organisms that existed on Earth a long time ago.

11. I can explain the link between evolution and heredity.

12. I can describe that selective breeding of animals and plants can be used as a way of illustrating evolution.

Introduction to Evolution

Evolution is one of the most fundamental concepts in biology, and it refers to the way that living organisms change over time. The theory of evolution explains how species arise, adapt to their environment, and ultimately become different from their ancestors.

The study of evolution is important because it helps us understand the diversity of life on Earth and the relationships between different organisms. It also has practical applications, such as in medicine and agriculture, where scientists use evolutionary principles to develop new treatments and improve crop yields.