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Evolution Site - Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology teachers, misinformation about evolution persist. Pop science nonsense has led many people to believe that biologists don't believe evolution. This site, which is a complement to the PBS program offers teachers resources that support the evolution of education while avoiding the types of misconceptions which make it difficult to understand. It's organized in a "bread crumb" format to make navigation and orientation easier. Definitions Evolution is a complicated and difficult subject matter to teach effectively. Non-scientists often misunderstand the subject and some scientists employ a definition that confuses it. This is particularly true when it comes to debates about the meaning of the word itself. Therefore, it is important to define terms that are used in evolutionary biology. Understanding Evolution's website does this in a simple and efficient manner. The site is a companion site to the series that first aired in 2001, but it is also an independent resource. The content is presented in a way which aids navigation and orientation. The site defines terms like common ancestor, gradual process, and adaptation. These terms help to define 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 tested and confirmed. This information can be used to dispel misconceptions that have been engendered by creationists. It is also possible to access a glossary of terms used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: The process of adaptation is the tendency of heritable traits to be better suited to an environment. This is the result of natural selection. Organisms that have better-adapted traits are more likely than those with less adapted characteristics to survive and reproduce. Common ancestor: The latest common ancestor of two or more species. The common ancestor can be identified by studying the DNA of those species. Deoxyribonucleic acid: A huge biological molecule that contains the information necessary for cell replication. The information is stored in nucleotide sequences, which 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 dependent on evolutionary changes in the other. Examples of coevolution include the interactions between predator and prey or the parasite and the host. Origins Species (groups of individuals who can interbreed) evolve through an array of natural changes in the traits of their offspring. The changes can be triggered by a variety of factors that include natural selection, genetic drift and mixing of gene pools. The development of a new species could take thousands of years, and the process may be slowed or increased by environmental factors like climate change or the competition for food or habitat. The Evolution site tracks through time the evolution of different animal and plant groups with a focus on major changes in each group's past. It also focuses on human evolution, which is a topic of particular importance for students. When Darwin wrote the Origin in 1859, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been discovered. The famous skullcap, with the bones that accompanied it were discovered in 1856 in the Little Feldhofer Grotto of Germany. It is now recognized as an early Homo neanderthalensis. Although the skullcap was not published until 1858, which was a year before the first edition of the Origin appeared, it is extremely unlikely that Darwin had ever heard of it. While the site is focused on biology, it also includes a good deal of information about geology as well as paleontology. The site offers a number of features that are especially impressive, such as a timeline of the way that climate and geological conditions have changed over time. It also has maps that show the locations of fossil groups. Although the site is a companion piece to a PBS television show however, it can stand on its own as a great source for teachers and students. ?????????? 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 sophisticated elements of the museum Web site. These hyperlinks make it easier to transition from the cartoon-style Understanding Evolution pages into the more sophisticated realms of research science. There are also links to John Endler's experiments with guppies that illustrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life has produced many species of animals, plants and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures within their natural environment and has a number of advantages over the current observational and experimental methods of examining evolutionary processes. In addition to exploring processes and events that occur frequently or over a long period of time, paleobiology can be used to examine the diversity of groups of organisms and their distribution throughout the course of geological time. The Web site is divided into a variety of ways to learn about evolution which include "Evolution 101," which takes the user on a linear path through the nature of science and the evidence to support the theory of evolution. The path also explores misconceptions about evolution and the background of evolutionary thought. Each of the main sections of the Evolution website is equally well-developed, and includes materials that are suited to a variety of educational levels and teaching styles. In addition to general textual content, the site features an extensive selection of multimedia and interactive content including videos, animations, and virtual laboratories. The breadcrumb-like structure of the content assists with navigation and orientation on the vast web site. For example, the page "Coral Reef Connections" provides a comprehensive overview of coral relationships and their interaction with other organisms. Then, it concentrates on a specific clam that is able to communicate with its neighbors and respond to changes in the water conditions at the reef level. This page, as well as the other multidisciplinary, multimedia and interactive pages on the website, provide an excellent introduction to a wide variety of topics in evolutionary biology. The content also includes an explanation of the role of natural selection as well as the concept of phylogenetic analysis which is a key tool for understanding the evolution of change. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is an underlying thread that connects all branches of biology. A rich collection supports teaching evolution across the life science disciplines. One resource, which is a companion to the PBS television series Understanding Evolution, is an excellent example of a Web site that provides depth and a variety of educational resources. The site offers a variety of interactive learning modules. It also features an "bread crumb structure" that allows students to move away from the cartoon-like style of Understanding Evolution and onto elements on this site that are more closely related to the fields of research science. ???? ??? that introduces the concept of genetics, which links to a page highlighting John Endler's experiments with artificial selection using guppies on native ponds in Trinidad. The Evolution Library on this website contains a large multimedia library of materials that deal to evolution. The contents are organized into courses that are based on curriculum and follow the learning objectives outlined in the standards for biology. It contains seven videos specifically designed for use in classrooms, and can be streamed for free or purchased on DVD. A variety of crucial questions remain in the midst of evolutionary biology, such as the factors that trigger evolution and how fast it happens. ?????????? is particularly applicable to human evolution where it's been difficult to reconcile that the innate physical characteristics of humans evolved from apes and religious beliefs that claim that humans are unique in the universe and has a special place in creation, with a soul. Additionally, there are a number of ways that evolution can occur, with natural selection being the most widely accepted theory. Scientists also study other kinds such as genetic drift and sexual selection. Although many scientific fields of study have a conflict with the literal interpretations of religious texts, the concept of evolution biology has been a subject of intense debate and opposition from religious fundamentalists. While certain religions have managed to reconcile their beliefs with the notions of evolution, others aren't.
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