LIFE IN THE PAST - EVOLUTION

Darshil Shah

Evolution is the process of development of complex living things from earlier

simpler forms. Evolution has been thought of for years in ancient and in more
modern times. Everyone knows Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace as the fathers
of evolution, who raised issues both scientifically and religiously which still
continue to be debated today.
Jean Lamarck first proposed a mechanism for evolution. Lamarck suggested that
evolution occurs when the environment acts on an organism and causes it to
change, whereas Charles Darwin suggested that only the fittest (them most
suited to the environment) survive. For example, Lamarck would say that giraffes’
necks became long to reach the leaves on the trees. Darwin would say that only
giraffes with long necks survive and pass the characteristics on to their offspring.
The most sensible theory or idea is expressed by Lamarck because there is no
question of how the animals can have greatly different characteristics in the same
place at very short periods of times. Even though both theories are questionable
(such as what drives the force of evolution) Lamarck portrays it simply as
something that changes because it has to instead of the gene pool spreading and
enlarging over such a short period of
time in a very unrealistic change.
The diagram shows the popular island
flinches. Darwin noted how each bird
had different characteristics on different
islands. This is how divergent
evolution works. The ‘new’ isolated
population evolves to ‘fit’ in their new
environment. Convergent evolution
works when two unrelated species share
similar environment and gradually
develop the same characteristics. Examples are Sharks, Dolphins and Whales who
all have similar body shapes.
The fossil record also provides evidence for evolution. Darwin noted how
modern armadillos in South America show how they developed from a common
ancestor.
Comparative anatomy also provides evidence for evolution. Modern horses can
be traced to 60-million old ancestors. The forelimbs of unrelated vertebrates show
how they developed from a common ancestor.
Comparative embryology has shows that embryos of some animals of some
vertebrates have structures that may lead to a common ancestor or the
evolutionary past. For example, human embryos have a yolk sac, gill slits and a
tail in their early stage (so do fishes, lizards, chickens and many more).
Biogeographical evidence can also suggest common ancestors for evolution. For
example, there are two distinct species worldwide of whip bird on the east and
west coast of Australia. They were once found everywhere in Australia, but now
they are separate and have their own characteristics.
There is increasing genetic and biochemical evidence providing links with
common ancestors. DNA testing has shows links with humans and other
primates.