Evolution Article Response One
Darwin Still Rules, but Some Biologists Dream of a Paradigm Shift
By DOUGLAS H. ERWIN
Summary
This article talks about the other possible ways of evolution. They questioned Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The biologists believe mutation was the reason for species to evolve. Mutation in the DNA must have occurred to for the species to adapt the new way of life. The transitions between species were recorded in the fossil record and the changes seemed too abrupt to be changes done by natural selection rather than mutation. Since there was no proof what caused evolution other than the structural evidence. The changes of structure could have occurred through either process: mutation or natural selection.
I agree and disagree with this article because I believe the evolution of species could be because of mutation and natural selection. With volcanic eruption the occurred to create more land the air must have been polluted. Due to the pollution the species that lived near it must have inhaled the toxin and that could have caused a mutation within it. Whereas a form of specie that lives on an island will change slowly from generations to generations to survive better, this would be due to natural selection. Charles Darwin is not wrong and neither are the biologists who believe mutation caused evolution.
This affects me as a citizen because one way or another us humans derived from our ancestors. Whether through mutation or natural selection us humans evolved through millions of years and still continue to live. Although evolution is a scientific theory and not a proven fact I would love to be a part of proving evolution as a fact.
You can improve this idea by closely monitoring specific specie over years. See whether they change their ways of survival and behavior. You should monitor the changed that occur within them. From this they can determine whether natural selection occurs or mutation. By monitoring couple of different species you can figure out which type of evolution occur more frequently.
Evolution Article Response Two
Warning of a World That’s Hotter and Wetter
By Jim Dwyer
Summary
Richard Leakey was geologist who explored fossil remnants from Africa. The fossil remnants show that the planet Earth is getting hotter and also wetter. Richard Leakey realized that the sedimentary rock can possible hold the remains of human’s ancestor. After persuading National Geographic to give him permission for an expedition. Ever since he was granted permission he discovered humans had multiple ancestors through fossils. The fossils were pieces not the whole bone structure of the creature. Richard Leakey imagined the fossil to be a broken part and imagined the rest of the structure being together by using the pieces he found. In 2007, Chelsea Piers estimated that the water level will rise from seven inches to twelve inches by 2050.
I agree that the planet Earth is getting hotter and wetter. Due to global warming creating a hole in the ozone layer the water level is increasing rapidly. Also the climate is getting warmer by each year. Winter in Canada is becoming shorter every year. I do not believe that humans had different ancestor. I do not believe this because according to Charles Darwin we all have one common ancestor where all the species derive from. If that is the case we could not have had more than one ancestor. Our ancestors probably did change form but two different species cannot mate to form a fertile offspring. In that scenario we would not have many ancestors.
This affects me as a citizen because the climate change and increase in water affects me. With the weather change and increase in water species are endangered. Every specie is needed for ultimate survival. Every specie is depended on each other. Food chain is vital for survival because every specie preys on each other for survival. If an specie becomes extinct it would harm me and every other specie.
This idea can be improved by investigating what specific reason why the fossil shows the climate change and increase in water level.