EVOLUTION- It is a slow and continuous process whereby complex forms
of life have emerged from simpler forms through millions of years.
Jean Baptiste de Lamarck (1744 -1829)– French biologist
Proposed ideas based on the patterns of fossils and matching of the organism to
its environment Eg:Evolution of giraffe
Two principles
Use and disuse –ground feeding to trees
Inheritance of acquired characters – Long , muscular neck and forelimbs - from
ancestors to next generation Eg:Evolution of giraffe
VESTIGIAL ORGANS – Organs that have ceased to be of any use to the
possessor but still persist generation after generation in a reduced form
WISDOM TOOTH – Last molars on both sides jaw. Appears between 17-20 years
VERMIFORM APPENDIX –Projects from the blind end of the caecum ( part of
large intestine-no function) In sheep-helps to digest cellulose
PINNA – External ear, which provides a passage from the auditory canal to ear
eardrum. In other mammals, it can move to gather the sound
Facts of Darwinism
OVER PRODUCTION –plants and animals have an innate desire to produce their
progeny (many)to continue their race
Eg: Oyster – lay 60- 80 million eggs – single spawn- if all eggs hatch and if they
survive, then the shells would be the size of the earth
Paramecium divides @ of 3 times in 48 hours – if all survive, equal to the mass of
the earth
Elephant - slowest breeder – produces 6 young ones in 90 years. If it survives,
for 750 years, 19 million elephants
STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE – Individuals multiply in geometric ratio, but space
and food remain constant- leads to struggle for existence
Competition occurs for shelter,climate, food and for breeding place – i.e.
between same species(intraspecific) or different species (interspecific)
VARIATION – Struggle for existence compelled them to adapt to conditions for
utilising natural resources to survive
Even progeny of the same parents not become alike
Without variations no possibility of evolution
Variations that once appeared will continue generation after generation –harmful
variation – unfit for existence- weeded out
Advantageous variation – successful – for existence
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST-Advantageous variation – successful – to survive,
others routed out. Due to this, he termed – as natural selection
Environment changes- new advantages selected in nature
After generations- some characters alter to change species into a new species
Origin of new species by gradual modification is called ‘Speciation’
Industrial melanism in Biston betularia
BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Moth – light coloured wings –with spots- blended – with lichens –grows on the
houses and tree trunks
Another variety of moth – darker wings – rare in 1850 @machester area – eaten
by birds –easily visible due to black wings
Light coloured moth – seen in large numbers –well concealed while resting – on
houses and tree trunks
AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION-
pollution increased- resulting in - death of lichens and the darkening of tree
trunks with soot. Due to this,dark variety moth – hidden – so not easily picked by
birds
Now natural selection acted through the birds – light coloured moth – became
prey – then dark variety moth – survived and produced more offspring – and
replaced the light coloured moth. So this phenomenon is called Industrial
melanism
Differences – Theories of Lamarck & Darwin
Theories of Lamarck
Known -Theory of inheritance of acquired characters
Believes -Use and disuse of an organ,
Changes acquired – transmitted to next generation
New species evolved after a long period – after many generations- by acquiring
characters
Theories of Darwin
Known -Theory of natural selection
Believes –variations exist in individuals, only the fittest survive in the
struggle for existence
New species evolved due to the accumulation of favourable variations
over a long period
Unable to explain the sources of variations. Modern genetics revealed it, and
his theory was modified and named Neo-Darwinism. But still, he is regarded as
the Father of Evolution
HUMAN EVOLUTION
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) –gave man- scientific name – Homo sapiens
Belongs to order primates – Modern man,monkeys,apes
Human evolution – begins-forest dwindled –because of glaciation( periof of ice
age marked by colder temperatures and the formation of glaciers)
Origin and evolution –recorded in rock in the form of fossils- asia and Africa
Supposed to originated-form ape-like ancestors-15 to 20 million years ago (late
Miocene period)
Pre human ancestor- Ramapithecus- walk erect on hind feet,few teeth,jaw
fragments
Required changes from ape-like form to human
Bipedalism(by freeing of forelimbs from ground)
Increasing cranial capacity
Reduction of canine size (due to omnivorous feeding habiys)
Loss of jaw power
Development of chin
Development of forehead and brow ridges
Increase in height
Development of erect posture
Reduction in body hair
Australopithecus- Prognathus or protruding face
Simian gap – A gap present in apes between incisors and canines on each side of
the jaw
Homo habilis -First man like ancestor
Homo erectus-First ancestors to hunt animals and use fire
Called as Homo erectus –resembled like modern man
Neanderthal man -Successors of Homo erectus
Developed into Cro-Magnon
Lived in western Europe,North Africa and Asia
Cro magnon - Made tools
• Similar to modern man
• Lived in Europe
• Advanced than Neanderthals
• Orthoganathous face(straight and strong jawed)-man like dentition
• Made tools from finely chipped stones
• Cave dwellers,Good hunters, use the hide of animals
• Not knowing about agriculture and domestication
• Cro Magnon – Transition between Neanderthal man and Modern
man(Homo sapiens sapiens)
Modern man
• Evolved from Cro-magnon –End of Glacial period
• Found in France, Java and South Africa
• Today’s man – Appeared 11000 years ago – around Caspian and
Mediterranean sea
MODERN MAN FEATURES
Developed a logical and syllabic speech – to communicate
Used metals – to prepare metallic tools, ornaments, utensils by smelting
ores
Cultivated plants and domesticated animals – for economic importance
Cities developed on river banks, as agriculture advanced – expanded their
numbers
Moved to permanent settlements -Civilisations flourished
LEARN THE GIVEN TABLE -IMPORTANT