Evolution Site - Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology teachers, there are still misconceptions about the evolution. ???? ???? who have been exposed to popular science myths often assume that biologists are saying they do not believe in evolution. This rich website - companion to the PBS series - provides teachers with materials that promote evolution education and avoids the kinds of misconceptions that make it difficult to understand. It's laid out in a "bread crumb" format to aid in navigation and orientation. Definitions Evolution is a complicated and difficult subject matter to teach effectively. Many non-scientists are unable to grasp the concept and some scientists use a definition that confuses it. This is especially applicable to discussions on the nature of the word. Therefore, it is essential to define terms that are used in evolutionary biology. Understanding Evolution's website provides this in a simple and efficient manner. It is an accompanying site for the 2001 series, but it is also a resource on its own. The material is presented in a nested manner that assists in navigation and orientation. The site defines terms such as common ancestor (or common ancestor), gradual process, and adaptation. These terms help to frame the nature of evolution and its relation to other concepts in science. The site then offers an overview of how the concept of evolution has been vetted and verified. This information can be used to dispel myths that have been engendered by the creationists. You can also access a glossary which contains terms that are used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation is the process of changing heritable traits to become more suited to the environment. This is the result of natural selection. Organisms with more adaptable traits are more likely than those with less adapted characteristics to survive and reproduce. Common ancestor: The most recent common ancestor of two or more distinct species. By analyzing DNA from these species it is possible to identify the common ancestor. Deoxyribonucleic Acid: A huge biological molecular containing the necessary information for cell replication. The information is stored in nucleotide sequences that are strung into long chains known as chromosomes. Mutations are responsible for the creation of new genetic information inside cells. Coevolution is a relationship between two species in which evolutionary changes in one species are influenced by evolutionary changes in the other. Coevolution is evident in the interaction of predator and prey, or parasite and hosts. Origins Species (groups that can crossbreed), evolve through a series natural changes in the traits of their offspring. The causes of these changes are various factors, including natural selection, gene drift, and mixing of the gene pool. The evolution of a new species could take thousands of years and the process may be slowed down or speeded up by environmental factors like climate change or the competition for food or habitat. The Evolution site traces through time the evolution of various animal and plant groups and focuses on major changes in each group's past. It also explores human evolution and is a subject that is of particular interest to students. When Darwin wrote the Origin of Species, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been found. The skullcap that is famous, along with the bones associated with it were discovered in 1856 in the Little Feldhofer Grotto of Germany. It is now recognized as an early Homo neanderthalensis. While the skullcap wasn't published until 1858, which was one year after the first edition of the Origin was published, it is extremely unlikely that Darwin had seen or heard of it. While the site focuses on biology, it also includes a good deal of information about geology as well as paleontology. Among the best features of the Web site are a set of timelines that illustrate how climatic and geological conditions have changed over time, as well as an interactive map of the distribution of a few of the fossil groups featured on the site. Although the site is a companion piece to the PBS television show however, it can stand on its own as an excellent source for teachers and students. The site is well-organized and offers clear links to the introductory material of Understanding Evolution (developed under the National Science Foundation's funding) as well as the more specialized features on the museum's website. These hyperlinks make it easy to move from the cartoon-style Understanding Evolution pages into the more sophisticated realms of research science. Particularly there are links to John Endler's research with Guppies, which demonstrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life on Earth has produced a diversity of plants, animals, and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures in their geographical context and offers a number of advantages over modern observational and experimental methods for analyzing evolutionary processes. In addition to examining the processes and events that happen frequently or over a long period of time, paleobiology can be used to examine the diversity of kinds of organisms as well as their distribution across the course of geological time. The website is divided into various options to learn about evolution. One of these paths, "Evolution 101," takes the viewer through the evolution of nature and the evidence of evolution. The course also focuses on misconceptions about evolution and also the history of evolutionary thought. Each of the other major sections of the Evolution site is similarly constructed, with materials that support a variety of curriculum levels and pedagogical styles. The site has a range of multimedia and interactive resources that include animations, video clips and virtual labs in addition to general textual content. The breadcrumb-like structure of the content assists with navigation and orientation on the massive website. For example the page "Coral Reef Connections" gives a brief overview of the relationships between corals and their interaction with other organisms. Then, it narrows down to a single clam that can communicate with its neighbors and react to changes in water conditions that take place at the level of the reef. This page, as well as the other multidisciplinary, multimedia and interactive pages on the site, provide an excellent introduction to the broad spectrum of topics in evolutionary biology. The content also includes a discussion of the role of natural selection as well as the concept of phylogenetic analysis, which is a crucial tool in understanding evolutionary changes. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is an underlying thread that runs through all branches of biology. A wide range of resources can help teachers teach about evolution across the life sciences. One resource, a companion to the PBS television series Understanding Evolution, is an exceptional 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 has an embedded "bread crumb" structure that helps students transition from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution to elements on this large Web site more closely tied to the field of research science. An animation that introduces the concept of genetics, which links to a page about John Endler's experiments with artificial selection using guppies on native ponds in Trinidad. Another helpful resource is the Evolution Library on this Web site, which has an extensive multimedia library of assets connected to evolution. ??????? is organized according to the form of curriculum-based pathways that are in line with the learning goals set forth in the standards for biology. It contains seven short videos designed for use in classrooms. These can be viewed online or purchased as DVDs. Evolutionary biology is an area of study that poses many important questions, such as what causes evolution and how quickly it takes place. This is particularly true for humans' evolution, where it was difficult to reconcile religious beliefs that held that humanity has a unique place in the creation and a soul with the notion that our physical traits evolved from apes. Additionally there are a variety of ways in which evolution could occur, with natural selection being the most widely accepted theory. However, scientists also study other types of evolution such as mutation, genetic drift, and sexual selection, among others. While many fields of scientific inquiry have a conflict with the literal interpretations of religious texts, evolutionary biology has been the subject of fierce debate and opposition from religious fundamentalists. Some religions have reconciled their beliefs to evolution but others haven't.
Member since: Monday, December 23, 2024
Website: https://pimplestem02.werite.net/why-evolution-roulette-could-be-your-next-big-obsession
The email you entered is already receiving Daily Bits Emails!
