Post by Finch on Apr 16, 2009 23:03:01 GMT -5
[/i]maybe[/i], we weren't created directly by God in his image. Could is be that, in the beginning, instead of creating the heaven and the Earth, God created the laws of science that we as humans can observe today? Could he not have sparked the Big Bang, the creation of our solar system, Earth, and inevitably, life and evolution? Consider this: Science and religion can coexist. And because absolutely NOBODY {I don't care what your holy book says, nor what science shows} knows for sure how we came to be and what's waiting for us after our consciousness disappears, it's likely best to heavily weigh both sides and decide for yourself instead of believing what your parents have told you all your life. Think for yourself~Before I begin, remember these three things: Science is based on physical evidence, not facts; religion is based on faith; religion cannot be interjected into science. However, this does not imply that the two cannot coexist."The mind is like a parachute: it doesn't work unless it's open." - Frank Zappa
Words to keep in mind:Species - Organisms that share similar characteristics and can breed to produce fertile offspring.
- Horses can breed with horses to produce, well, horses. Donkeys + donkeys = donkey. However, breeding a horse with a donkey produces a mule, which is infertile. This is because mules do not have an even number of chromosomes {63}, due to the fact that donkeys and horses have different numbers themselves. For mules, during mitotic cell division, each of the chromosomes copies itself and then distributes these two copies to the two daughter cells. In contrast, when the mule is producing sperm or egg cells during meiosis, each pair of chromosomes {one from Mom and one from Dad} need to pair up with each other. Since the mule doesn't have an even number of homologous pairs, meiosis is disrupted and viable sperm and eggs are not formed.
Niche - A niche is where an organism lives and what it eats.
- No two species can occupy the same niche; if direct competition occurs, one species will have to adapt to a new niche or die out.
Speciation - When gene flow stops between two populations.
- Geographic isolation {species are separated geographically, and therefore, cannot mate for obvious reasons}, and reproductive isolation {one population stops mating with the rest, for reasons such as varying mating seasons or separate mating rituals}.
Convergent Evolution - Two groups of different organisms produce species that have similar traits.
- Birds evolved along their lines, and bats evolved along another. Both have wings and can fly but are not related.
In 1831, Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, set sail from England on the HMS Beagle for Argentina. While there, a fossil called "Megatherium" {giant extinct sloth} is discovered and collected for study. Darwin noticed that this extinct sloth resembled its much smaller South American counterpart.
Four years later, in 1835, the Beagle landed on the chain of islands off the coast of South America known as the Galapagos. While on these islands, Darwin made four observations:- Species on the chain are not found anywhere else in the world
- Species bear a strong resemblance to South American counterparts
- Islands are fairly young {volcanic} and have never been connected to South America
- Animals exhibit strange behaviors and lifestyles
On the Galapagos, Darwin observed fourteen different species of Finch, a small bird, that were all about the same size {10-20 cm}; however, their beaks varied in size and shape. This, of course, could be explained through evolution. {Why would God create fourteen separate species of Finch for one island chain?}: A South American variety of Finch is blown from the continent during a hurricane, or through some other form of travel, arriving on the islands. Because there are few birds reproducing, after time, gene mutations {individuals do not change, populations of individuals do} that work in the birds' favor to survive are passed on through inherited variation. For example, a mutation that might cause a Finch to have a larger, thicker beak {only marginally} that could more efficiently crack harder nuts and seeds would have a better chance of survival, and therefore, the better chance to reproduce and pass on their beak to offspring. Over time, the finches would have developed into the fourteen separate species Darwin would observe thousands {likely millions} of years later.
Within the next year, Darwin returns to England. Over the course of two decades, and after much hesitation due to the Church's influence in England, Darwin develops his evolutionary theory and publishes his novel "On The Origin Of Species". It sells out on the first day, yet receives much criticism for suggesting that human beings are no different than the other animals of Earth, that they were not created in God's image; rather, having "evolved" from Apes.
Darwin's theory included these mechanisms for change:2 Types of Selection ProcessesNow, there are three types of Natural Selection:Type 1- Artificial Selection: The breeder selects for the desired trait. This has been done over and over in the last 5000 years. {Through man, new domesticated animal species have developed such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, etc.}
- Also tried in human populations {Hitler's blond hair/blue eyed ideal race, African-American slaves for strength -- this explains their superior athletic skill in the sports universe.}Type 2- Natural Selection: Occurs when organisms with favorable variation {through sexual reproduction} for a particular environment survive. The survivors then pass on their favorable trait to their offspring. {The Finches and their beaks.}1. Stabilizing - Favors the average individual in a population.
2. Directional - One of the extreme forms of a trait is favored over the average and the other extreme form. This moves the population in one direction.
3. Disruptive - Both of the extreme forms of a trait are at a selective advantage. Because of this, the population will go in two separate directions and eventually forms two separate species.
Through Natural Selection, the following theories have been developed about populations:1. Overpopulation -- every species produces more offspring than could possibly be supported by the environment.
- Turtles lay approximately 100 eggs. Most of these hatch, yet the rest are eaten by predators, not incubated properly, or are washed away in the ocean. The survivors who hatch are also commonly eaten by predators before they can reach the water, may be eaten in the ocean, or die of disease or other causes.
2. Limited Resources -- There are not enough resources provided by a specie's natural environment to support every individual. Therefore, most will die and not survive to reproduce.
- A herd of zebra has lesser numbers than a pack of lions. As the zebra's numbers dwindle, the lions begin to, as well, because they can't eat.
3. Variation -- Genetic mutations cause variation in DNA strains, which can cause varying traits that are later passed on through mitosis and sexual reproduction.
- A mutation in an individual, such as a lion, which results in the lion being just a little faster than other individuals will give it a better chance of survival since catching prey will become even the littlest bit easier. Because of this, the lion will survive to reproduce and pass on that mutation.
4. Inherited Variation -- The mutation that the parent of an individual had which helped it survive and reproduce is passed on down the line.
- A specific pack of lions that might be just a little faster than another nearby pack reproduces within itself and carries on its mutation.
5. Stability -- Populations display temporal stability {they stay constant.}
- As one population of prey gains favorable traits over its predator, the predator develops favorable traits of its own to stay constant with its prey and continue survival.
From these five theories, Darwin made three conclusions:1. There is a struggle of existence among individuals. This results in survival of only a fraction {usually the strongest and most fit individuals}.
2. Survival is not random, but depends on the heredity make up of the individuals in the population.
3. Over time, this process of natural selection will change the composition of the gene pool and lead to adaption.
To add to all of this, eight modern day evidences that evolution has occurred, is occurring, and will continue to occur throughout the lifespan of the planet/solar stem:1. Fossils - Any evidence of an organism that lived long ago.
- Types: Casts {mold of an organism filled with minerals}, amber {fossilized tree sap}, traces {signs, such as footprints} of animals or preexisting organisms}, petrified {minerals replace organism atom by atom}, imprints {left after an object rests in mud of soft sediment and leaves an impression}, and molds {at empty space left in rock after an organism has completely decayed}.
2. Common Underlying Architecture - Structures {digestive, nervous, endocrine} have adapted to meet different needs, but contain the same pattern of bones.
- Whales are believed to have evolved from a carnivorous land mammal {Mesonychids} resembling a modern-day wolf. They have a pelvis, legs, and five fingers. {Fossil transitional chart} Cats, bats, dogs, birds, humans - basically all invertebrates - have the same underlying bone structure. Google it.
3. Patterns of Embryonic Development - All invertebrates have common patterns of embryonic development.
- Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and all mammals resemble each other at a certain stage of development. This hints at a common ancestor.
4. Occurrence of Vestigial Organs - Structures that may be reduced and are no longer functional.
- The human appendix. It's there, and at one time killed possibly fatal bacteria we picked up from eating raw meat. Through the discovery of fire, meat was able to be cooked and thus eliminated the need for our appendix; however, we have yet to evolve to a point where it has disappeared from our digestive system.
5. Breeding Under Domestication - A new species can be created through selectively breeding {discussed earlier}.
- Dogs, cats, horses, cows, etc.
6. Similarities in Chemical Compounds - Building blocks of common compounds are the same for every living thing on Earth.
- DNA {different base order, everything else is the same}, RNA {every living thing uses RNA to produce proteins}, ATP {every living thing uses ATP to store and use energy}, Protein Synthesis {proteins differ in length and order of Amino Acids, everything else is the same no matter what organism}.
7. Differences in Island Species - Islands tend to have species found no where else in the world, and because not all islands are the same age, the life forms match the stage the island is in.
- Finches, as discussed earlier
8. Geographic Variation - Members of the same species have modifications depending upon where they live.
- Rabbit species such as jack rabbits {which have developed to favor long legs to escape predators} and cotton tails {which burrow to escape predators}. Both of these adaptions allow these separate species of rabbit to survive; this is an example disruptive selection. Also, the skin color of African-Americans make them practically immune to sunburn and, in turn, skin cancer. And where is Africa? The equator, which receives the most sun on the entire planet. Might their skin color help them to survive?
Finally, onto human evolution. Before I get into this, remember that we didn't just jump from monkeys to our current form in only a few steps. That is a very common misconception {who, exactly, is uneducated enough to believe such a thing is beyond me}.
Humans and apes share a common ancestor, an ancestor long since extinct. From this ancestor branched off two different lines: apes and humans. The ape line would go on to form chimpanzees, gorillas, etc., while our line would go through several different species over the course of about four to five million years from this branching.
Australopithecus {Lucy} - The earliest hominid fossil discovered to this day that is known to date back four million years. Close to 50% of her skeleton was found, which is a lot according to archaeological standards. Her pelvic bone indicated that she walked upright; the advantage of this would be that she could use her hands for something besides walking, such as gathering food. She had a very small brain case, and at this stage, Lucy's species would not have been able to create tools.
Homo Habilis {Handy Man} - Another transitionary fossil found with a larger brain case than Lucy. He is dated to over two million years old, used tools made of stone and bone, but disappeared after a few hundred thousand years. This is where we begin to see the development of the hand and skull.
Homo Erectus - Transitionary fossil who lived over one million years ago, had an even larger brain case, and was spread over most of the Old World {Africa, southern Europe}. They were excellent toolmakers and believed to be the first to use fire. Once again, the development of the hand and skull. They likely walked upright more effectively than their predecessors.
At this point, we see another branch: Neandertal and Cro-Magnons.
Neandertals - Fossilized records date back to 150,000 years and lived at the same time as Cro-Magnons. During their time period, they were built better for their environment, which was about the time of the Ice Age. Their brain case was very thick and had a heavy brow ridge, yet the top of their skulls were flattened; their bones were massive; large nasal cavity for warming air in the cold climates. All in all, Neandertals were a very powerful people with extraordinary endurance. A better animal.
Neandertals buried their dead with objects such as beads and flowers, which indicates some sort of religion belief. Piles of stone discovered around burial sites could have been alters.
Cro-Magnons - Cro-magnons are basically modern man, if not our closest relatives. As far as animal standards go, they were not built very well. Their bones were smaller and relatively weak as compared to the Neandertals, they had less endurance and were less equipped to survive physically. So why did we survive while the Neandertal did not?
Brains!
By this point, the brain case had developed to allow adequate room for the various cortex sections of the brain. While our skulls were rounded on top to allow this space, Neandertals' were flattened and therefore did not allow this development. This is why we survived. Through our superior intellect, we likely wiped out the Neandertals by outwitting them.
With all of this evidence I've just thrown at you, I hope you'll consider that maybe,
Well, there you have it my Jewish friends. You advertised on ProBoard Support that you were looking for someone to start an Evolution flame, and I've delivered. [: Took me a few hours {while I should be doing homework}, but it's a fun topic for me. I'll be checking in, possibly replying.
Discuss![/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote]
