10 Healthy Evolution Site Habits
Evolution Site – Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology educators, misconceptions about evolution persist. Pop science nonsense has led many people to think that biologists don't believe in evolution. This site, which is a companion to the PBS series It provides teachers with materials which support evolution education and avoid the kinds of misinformation that can make it difficult to understand. It's laid out in a nested “bread crumb” format to make it easy for navigation and orientation. Definitions Evolution is a complex and challenging subject to teach effectively. Non-scientists often misunderstand the subject, and some scientists even use a definition that confuses it. This is especially relevant when discussing the definition of the words. It is therefore crucial to define the terms that are used in evolutionary biology. The website for the PBS show, Understanding Evolution, does this in a simple and efficient way. It is an accompanying site for the 2001 series, and also a resource on its own. The material is presented in a way that assists in navigation and orientation. The site defines terms such as common ancestor and gradual process. These terms help to define the nature of evolution as well as its relationship to other scientific concepts. The site provides an overview of the ways in which evolution has been tested. This information can be used to dispel the myths that have been created by the creationists. You can also access a glossary that contains terms that are used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation is the tendency of heritable traits to become more suited to the environment. This is a result of natural selection, which occurs when organisms with better adapted traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with less adaptable characteristics. Common ancestor (also called common ancestor) The most recent ancestor that is shared by two or more species. The common ancestor can be identified by analyzing the DNA of these species. Deoxyribonucleic acid: A large biological molecule that contains the information needed for cell replication. The information is stored in a sequence of nucleotides that are strung together into long chains, also known as chromosomes. Mutations are the reason behind the creation of new genetic information inside cells. Coevolution: A relationship between two species in which evolutionary changes in one species are dependent on evolutionary changes in the other. Coevolution can be observed in the interactions between predator and prey, or parasites and hosts. 에볼루션 블랙잭 (groups of individuals who can interbreed) change through natural changes in the traits of their offspring. Changes can be caused by various factors, including natural selection, gene drift and mixing of the gene pool. The evolution of new species can take thousands of years. Environmental circumstances, such as climate changes or competition for food or habitat can impede or accelerate the process. The Evolution site tracks through time the emergence of various animal and plant groups and focuses on major changes in each group's history. It also focuses on human evolution as a subject that is particularly important for students. When Darwin wrote the Origin in 1859, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been found. One of them was the infamous skullcap and bones that were discovered in 1856 at the Little Feldhofer Grotto in Germany, which is now known as an early Homo neanderthalensis. It is highly unlikely that Darwin was aware of the skullcap when it was published in 1858, a year after the publication of the first edition of The Origin. Origin. The site is mostly one of biology however, it also has lots of information about geology and paleontology. The most impressive features of the Web site are a series of timelines which show how climatic and geological conditions have changed over time as well as an outline of the geographical distribution of some fossil groups listed on the site. While the site is a companion to the PBS television series, it also stands on its own as a valuable source for teachers and students. The site is extremely well-organized and has clear links between the introduction information in Understanding Evolution (developed with support from the National Science Foundation) and the more specialized elements of the museum Web site. These hyperlinks make it easier to move from the cartoon-style Understanding Evolution pages into the more sophisticated worlds of research science. In particular there are links to John Endler's experiments using guppies that illustrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory.
Diversity The evolution of life on Earth has led to a wide variety of animals, plants and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures within their natural environment and has many advantages over the current observational and experimental methods in its exploration of evolutionary phenomena. In addition to examining processes and events that occur regularly or over a long period of time, paleobiology is able to analyze the diversity of species of organisms and their distribution throughout the geological time. The site is divided up into different options to study the subject of evolution. One of these paths, “Evolution 101,” walks the reader through the nature and evidence of evolution. The path also explores common misconceptions about evolution and the evolution theory's history. Each of the other major sections of the Evolution site is similarly created, with resources that can be used to support a range of different pedagogical levels and curriculum levels. In addition to the general textual content, the site also has an array of interactive and multimedia resources including videos, animations, and virtual laboratories. The breadcrumb-like organization of the content aids in navigation and orientation on the massive web site. For example the page “Coral Reef Connections” gives a brief overview of the relationships between corals and their interactions with other organisms. It then concentrates on a specific clam that is able to communicate with its neighbours and respond to changes in water conditions that take place at the reef level. This page, along with the other multidisciplinary, multimedia, and interactive pages on the website, provide an excellent introduction to a broad range of topics in evolutionary biology. The content includes a discussion on the significance of natural selectivity and the concept of phylogenetics as a key tool for understanding evolutionary changes. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is a common thread that runs through all branches of biology. A vast collection of resources can help teachers teach about evolution across all life sciences. One resource, a companion to the PBS television series Understanding Evolution, is an outstanding example of an Web site that provides depth and breadth in its educational resources. The site has a wide array of interactive learning modules. It also features an “bread crumb structure” that helps students move away from the cartoon style used in Understanding Evolution and onto elements on this site that are more closely linked to the realms of research science. Animation that introduces the concept of genetics links to a page that highlights John Endler's experiments in artificial selection using Guppies in native ponds in Trinidad. Another useful resource is the Evolution Library on this site, which has an extensive library of multimedia assets that are related to evolution. The content is organized into curricula-based pathways that correspond to the learning objectives set out in the biology standards. It contains seven short videos intended for use in the classroom. These can be viewed online or purchased as DVDs. Evolutionary biology is a field of study that has many important questions to answer, such as what triggers evolution and how quickly it occurs. This is especially true in the case of human evolution which was a challenge to reconcile religious beliefs that held that humanity has a unique position in the universe and a soul with the idea that innate physical traits originated from apes. There are also a number of other ways evolution can occur and natural selection being the most well-known theory. Scientists also study other types such as genetic drift and sexual selection. While many fields of scientific study have a conflict with the literal interpretations of religious texts, evolution biology has been a source of intense debate and opposition from religious fundamentalists. While certain religions have been able to reconcile their beliefs with the notions of evolution, other religions aren't.