ORGANIC EVOLUTION
Organic evolution is the sum total of adaptive changes from pre–existing or old forms that has taken
place over a long time resulting in diversity of forms, structures and functions among organism. The
basis of evolution is that all organisms have pre–existing ancestors.
Evidences of evolution
1. Fossil records: A fossil is an impression of a plant or an animal that lived a very long time ago. The age
of fossil is determined using radioisotope dating. Fossils are normally preserved in sedimentary rocks.
Depending on the source, fossil records can be referred to as geological or paleontological or
archaeological or historical record.
2. Geographical distribution: Based on the effect of climate on all living things, variations in their forms,
structures and functions can occur. After several years of isolation, organisms of one climate tend to
differ slightly from organisms of another climate.
3. Comparative anatomy: Evolution is obvious in anatomical comparison of vertebrates. The Pisces or
fishes have simple heart with one auricle and one ventricle. The amphibians have two auricles and one
ventricle. Reptiles have two auricles and a partially divided ventricle. Aves and mammals have two
auricles and two ventricles.
4. Embryological evidence: The embryo of man in the womb at different stages of development
resembles the embryo of fish, amphibians and reptiles.
5. Evidence of vestigial organ: Vestigial organs are minute and incomplete organs that have no special
function. Evolutionarily, these organs are believed to be once functioning e.g. appendix and rudimentary
tail in man.
Evidences of evolution
1. Fossil record: A fossil is an impression of a plant or an animal that lived a very long time ago. The age
of fossil is determined using radioisotope dating. Fossils are normally preserved in sedimentary rocks.
Depending on the source, fossil records can be referred to as geological or paleontological or
archaeological or historical record.
2. Geographical distribution: Based on the effect of climate on all living things, variations in their forms,
structures and functions can occur. After several years of isolation, organisms of one climate tend to
differ slightly from organisms of another climate.
3. Comparative anatomy: Evolution is obvious in anatomical comparison of vertebrates. The Pisces or
fishes have simple heart with one auricle and one ventricle. The amphibians have two auricles and one
ventricle. Reptiles have two auricles and a partially divided ventricle. Aves and mammals have two
auricles and two ventricles.
4. Embryological evidence: The embryo of man in the womb at different stages of development
resembles the embryo of fish, amphibians and reptiles.
5. Evidence of vestigial organ: Vestigial organs are minute and incomplete organs that have no special
function. Evolutionarily, these organs are believed to be once functioning e.g. appendix and rudimentary
tail in man.
6. Evidence from domesticated animals: These include cats, dogs, hensetc which live with humans for
many years.
[1/21, 6:38 PM] Umu Aishah: THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
There are three prominent theories
*Jean Lamarck’s theories of use and disuse which states that*
1. Changes in the environment lead to changes in the species of organism.
2. The changes cause the organisms to form new structures or habits to adapt to environmental
changes.
3. The organisms then develop specialized characters by use and disuse of organs.
4. Frequently used organs become well developed and the unused ones degenerate or become useless.
5. The well developed or dominantly acquired characters are inheritable.
Lamarck’s theory is unacceptable to modern scientists who have proved that only characters
represented on genes are inheritable not physical ones got through use and disuse.
[1/21, 6:41 PM] Umu Aishah: *Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection (survival of the fittest) which
states that*
1. Species of organisms can produce large number of offspring to the environment with limited
resources.
2. This then results in competition among the offspring.
3. The survivors must have inherited the useful traits which are passed on to the offspring at
reproduction.
4. Those that could not survive the competition die off. As the population gradually becomes better
adapted to the environment, new species emerge.
This theory is widely acceptable to many scientists till date.
NOTE: Both Lamarck and Darwin recognized the importance of environment.
[1/21, 6:44 PM] Umu Aishah: *Modern theories of evolution: Based on the combination of natural
selection (Darwin’s) and genetic origin of variation. This theory states that:*
1. There exist variations in the species population.
2. Some of the variations have special survival advantages.
3. Individuals with favourable variations are more adaptive to their environment than others.
4. The individuals have to struggle for existence in the environment.
5. The fittest contribute more offspring to the next generation than the unfit ones.
6. The main causes of variations are mutation and recombination of genes.
*Roles of mutation in evolution*
Mutation is a sudden change in DNA structure leading to a change in the phenotype of the species
concerned. When mutation occurs in the gene of gametes, it leads to production of new species.