Unit 9: History of Life
Reading
BJU Biology: Ch. 8 "The History of Life", and Ch. 6B "Population Genetics"
AP Classroom: Unit 7 "Natural Selection"
Topic
This unit covers life's origins, which encompasses many topics. The BJU textbook does so from a biblical viewpoint, and the AP curriculum does so from a secular viewpoint. We learn both viewpoints so we can be good citizens and communicate with others in a reasonable manner. Please be respectful of others as we cover the topic.
Lab
BJU Biology: Ch. 8 "The History of Life", and Ch. 6B "Population Genetics"
AP Classroom: Unit 7 "Natural Selection"
Topic
This unit covers life's origins, which encompasses many topics. The BJU textbook does so from a biblical viewpoint, and the AP curriculum does so from a secular viewpoint. We learn both viewpoints so we can be good citizens and communicate with others in a reasonable manner. Please be respectful of others as we cover the topic.
Lab
- You will prepare a class presentation on The Icons of Evolution. See instructions below.
- AP students will also do a Hardy-Weinberg project
The Big Idea
Among other things, we are discussing how we got here. This can be a contentious topic because it shapes how we view ourselves, how we view abstract concepts like morality and justice, beauty and truth, and how we view the ultimate purpose and meaning of life. Please be respectful of others as we cover the topic.
Let's think about what we need for life to happen...
If we are going to discuss Evolution, we need to define terms
A few of the major views
Among other things, we are discussing how we got here. This can be a contentious topic because it shapes how we view ourselves, how we view abstract concepts like morality and justice, beauty and truth, and how we view the ultimate purpose and meaning of life. Please be respectful of others as we cover the topic.
Let's think about what we need for life to happen...
- First, you need the (4) classes of biomolecules: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. These are complex, information-rich compounds that must form on a prebiotic earth. An alternative view (Panspermia) suggests these molecules came in on meteorites and splashed down in the ocean.
- Then, you need these molecules to assemble into a working cell. You don't have life without a cell. This requires lots of information, which must come from somewhere.
- You need the cell to survive on an early earth and accurately reproduce.
- Finally, you need the cells to assemble into tissues, organs, and an overall body-plan. The entire organism needs to obtain supplies, process food, carry-out complex chemical processes, grow to maturity, defend itself, diagnose and repair itself, and accurately reproduce.
If we are going to discuss Evolution, we need to define terms
- Chemical evolution: Simple atoms on prebiotic earth assemble into complex molecules near hot springs or under rocks having the necessary wet-dry and hot-cold cycles. Carbs, proteins, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, RNA, DNA (of the right kinds, purity, and chirality) must assemble and survive extremes in temperature, pH, and moisture for millions of years before they advance to the next step. An alternative view (Panspermia) suggests that they came in on meteorites.
- Micro-evolution: This refers to minor changes that occur within species. Nobody debates this. Examples we see: the different breeds of dogs, and the different races of men.
- Macro-evolution: These are major changes that result in new species being formed, which have entirely new body plans, behaviors, and habitats. One example typically given: Four-legged land-mammals gradually change to cetaceans (modern whales) and live entirely in the sea.
A few of the major views
- Complex life developed through unguided, random mutations acted upon by natural selection (this is called Neo-Darwinism, or The Modern Synthesis)
- A distant civilization on another planet seeded life here, either accidently or on purpose. Or - the necessary molecules came in on meteorites, and then caused life. (Panspermia)
- God set everything in motion a long time ago, and evolution did the rest (this is called Theistic Evolution)
- God created everything in six days (Young-Earth Creationism)
- God created everything in a longer time period (Old-Earth Creationism)
- Variations on a theme: God created, and is still creating - for example, new stars are being formed, and the fossil record shows several 'explosions', and so on.
Natural Selection questions
On Canvas
On Canvas
Theory of Evolution assignment
Respond to the following 13 questions. Upload your work to Canvas.
Respond to the following 13 questions. Upload your work to Canvas.
- Ch. 8.4: Review Questions 1-3
- Ch. 8.5: Review Questions 1-10
| Ch. 8 History of Life.pdf |
Icons of Evolution class presentation
The Icons of Evolution show up in textbooks as "proof" of Macro-evolution. The ten (10) icons are - The Miller-Urey experiment, Darwin's Tree of Life, Homology in Vertebrate Limbs, Archaeopteryx, Peppered Moths, Darwin's Finches, Four-Winged Fruit Flies, Fossil Horses, and From Ape to Human.
Instructions:
Watch the video. Choose one of the Icons and prepare a 4-5 minute class presentation using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi.
Your presentation must cover:
The Icons of Evolution show up in textbooks as "proof" of Macro-evolution. The ten (10) icons are - The Miller-Urey experiment, Darwin's Tree of Life, Homology in Vertebrate Limbs, Archaeopteryx, Peppered Moths, Darwin's Finches, Four-Winged Fruit Flies, Fossil Horses, and From Ape to Human.
Instructions:
Watch the video. Choose one of the Icons and prepare a 4-5 minute class presentation using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi.
Your presentation must cover:
- What is the Icon
- How does it supposedly offer "proof" of Macro-evolution
- How has it been discredited according to the video.