On the origin of species response (chapter 5)
While reading chapter five of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, I have learned many things regarding the laws of variation. For starters, the laws themselves (factors of evolution) are as follows; "Effects of external conditions — Use and disuse, combined with natural selection; organs of flight and of vision — Acclimatisation — Correlation of growth — Compensation and economy of growth — False correlations —Multiple, rudimentary, and lowly organised structures variable — Parts developed in an unusual manner are highly variable: specific char- acters more variable than generic: secondary sexual characters variable —Species of the same genus vary in an analogous manner — Reversions to long lost characters " (123) Darwin uses examples to prove how each one of these factors contributes to the evolution of organisms. For example, use and disuse is a law regarding the usage of certain body parts. Darwin's studies show that when an animal no longer uses a body part, over time the species will lose the characteristic. An example of this is in the human body. Humans used to have tails (they weren't actually humans but were ancestors of them), but as we started walking on the ground we did not need the extra grip in the trees and became bipedal. Because it was no longer beneficial to the survival of humans (ancestors), it became irrelevant and did not further the likelihood of humans (ancestors) surviving. The tail eventually was reduced to what it is today in modern humans, a tail bone. Darwin uses examples such as these to show how different laws of variation tend to contribute to the evolution of organisms throughout the chapter.
He also describes the manor in which these laws take place. As in the case of "effects of external conditions," organisms evolve ralative to their environment. Darwin gives examples of shells being brighter in some areas rather than others. He claims that this is because the isolation from other organisms of the same species allows the isolated species to evolve separately and relative to the different environment. Darwin claims that the factors of environment (external conditions) contribute slightly to the evolution of animals and even more to the evolution of plants.
The variations that Darwin goes to great length to describe all come from the process of mitosis that we learned about earlier in the year. It is because of the crossing over of DNA in this creation of gametes that there are so many different variations in animals and organisms that use gametes for reproduction. Because of the usage of haploid cells for reproduction opposed to diploids, the rate of volatility increases drastically. This is why from generation one to generation two a human (they reproduce with haploids) will most likely have more variation from its parents than an organisms that reproduces with binary fission for example. The laws of variation that Darwin describes all come from natural selection. There would be no different traits to be favored or not though if not for the volatility in the process of meiosis (creation of gametes). It is because of this that Darwin was able to create his theories about evolution and the laws of variation that he describes in detail in this chapter.
He also describes the manor in which these laws take place. As in the case of "effects of external conditions," organisms evolve ralative to their environment. Darwin gives examples of shells being brighter in some areas rather than others. He claims that this is because the isolation from other organisms of the same species allows the isolated species to evolve separately and relative to the different environment. Darwin claims that the factors of environment (external conditions) contribute slightly to the evolution of animals and even more to the evolution of plants.
The variations that Darwin goes to great length to describe all come from the process of mitosis that we learned about earlier in the year. It is because of the crossing over of DNA in this creation of gametes that there are so many different variations in animals and organisms that use gametes for reproduction. Because of the usage of haploid cells for reproduction opposed to diploids, the rate of volatility increases drastically. This is why from generation one to generation two a human (they reproduce with haploids) will most likely have more variation from its parents than an organisms that reproduces with binary fission for example. The laws of variation that Darwin describes all come from natural selection. There would be no different traits to be favored or not though if not for the volatility in the process of meiosis (creation of gametes). It is because of this that Darwin was able to create his theories about evolution and the laws of variation that he describes in detail in this chapter.
Inquiry and Research unit 7 lesson 4
(1) Describe the life of Charles Darwin. What were his motivations to study science?
Charles Darwin was born in England in 1809 and was educated there. His father was a doctor and wanted Charles to become a doctor as well but Charles did not want to. He eventually pursued certain hobies zealously that made him realize he loved studying nature. After riding on the HMS Beatle he returned to England and conducted several studies of the specimen he had found along the trip. After extensive research, he published his book On the Origin of Species. He loved adventure and collecting, two traits that helped him pursue his scientific career.
(2) Describe Darwin's journey onboard the H.M.S. Beagle. Where did he travel and what were some of his most notable observations?
Charles Darwin traveled all over the world on the HMS Beagle. He traveled to Australia, Cape Town, Plymouth, Baha, Rio De Janerio, and most notably the Galapagos. He found many different species from all over the world to study. His observations with the finches in the Galapagos were one of the largest discoveries in science.
(3) Provide a brief synopsis of On the Origin of Species. When was it published? Was it controversial? Why and by whom? What evidence did Darwin use in support of his theory?
The book On thhe rigin of Species was published on 24 November 1859. It was controversial because some people of the church thought it discredited the bible. The bible says God created man like the are today. The evidence he used were from his beagle expedition, he studied Finks and how their becks varied from place to place that he went to on the Galápagos Islands.
(4) Is his theory still supported today? In whole or in part?
His theory is still supported today in whole. The most prominent parts of Darwin's theory about natural selection and evolution stand to be corrected to this day. There might be some minor aspects of how natural selection occurs that Darwin may have been incorrect about, but for the most part he was right.
(5) Is Darwin’s presentation of evolution anti-religion?
Yes, it is anti-religion. Darwin's presentation gave scientific reasoning for how species originated through evolution. These scientific theories or concepts of evolution are very contradictory to sacred or religious origin stories or theories to how life formed on Earth. Evolution says how one species can evolve to become more species over millions of years where as in a religious origin story all things are more or less created by God.
Charles Darwin was born in England in 1809 and was educated there. His father was a doctor and wanted Charles to become a doctor as well but Charles did not want to. He eventually pursued certain hobies zealously that made him realize he loved studying nature. After riding on the HMS Beatle he returned to England and conducted several studies of the specimen he had found along the trip. After extensive research, he published his book On the Origin of Species. He loved adventure and collecting, two traits that helped him pursue his scientific career.
(2) Describe Darwin's journey onboard the H.M.S. Beagle. Where did he travel and what were some of his most notable observations?
Charles Darwin traveled all over the world on the HMS Beagle. He traveled to Australia, Cape Town, Plymouth, Baha, Rio De Janerio, and most notably the Galapagos. He found many different species from all over the world to study. His observations with the finches in the Galapagos were one of the largest discoveries in science.
(3) Provide a brief synopsis of On the Origin of Species. When was it published? Was it controversial? Why and by whom? What evidence did Darwin use in support of his theory?
The book On thhe rigin of Species was published on 24 November 1859. It was controversial because some people of the church thought it discredited the bible. The bible says God created man like the are today. The evidence he used were from his beagle expedition, he studied Finks and how their becks varied from place to place that he went to on the Galápagos Islands.
(4) Is his theory still supported today? In whole or in part?
His theory is still supported today in whole. The most prominent parts of Darwin's theory about natural selection and evolution stand to be corrected to this day. There might be some minor aspects of how natural selection occurs that Darwin may have been incorrect about, but for the most part he was right.
(5) Is Darwin’s presentation of evolution anti-religion?
Yes, it is anti-religion. Darwin's presentation gave scientific reasoning for how species originated through evolution. These scientific theories or concepts of evolution are very contradictory to sacred or religious origin stories or theories to how life formed on Earth. Evolution says how one species can evolve to become more species over millions of years where as in a religious origin story all things are more or less created by God.