Compendium Eight: Evolution

I. Human Evolution

• A. Origin of Life
• B. Biological Evolution
• C. Classification of Humans
• D. Evolution of Hominids
• E. Evolution of Humans
  

II. Global Ecology and Human Interference

• A. Nature of Ecosystems
• B. Energy Flow
• C. Global Biogeochemical

III. Human Population, Planetary Resources and Conservation

• A. Human Population Growth
• B. Human Use of Resources and Pollution
• C. Biodiversity
• D. Working Toward a Sustainable Society

I. Human Evolution

A. Origin of Life

---Primitive Earth----

Sun and Planets formed by dust and debris

4.6 billion years ago the solar system was formed

Atomosphere was much different

H2O, N2, and CO2

H2O only existed as gas

----Small Organic Molecules----

RNA needed for first cell

Protocell (carry metabolism but can't reproduce; heterotroph:takes in preformed food)

The true cell (can reproduce, RNA, messanger RNA, Protocyte could synthesize DNA)

B. Biological Evolution

----Common Descent----

Charles Darvin

Fossils are best evidence for evolution

Fossils consist of only hard materials

Transitional Fossils (Archaeopteryx Fossils and Ambulocetus natans)

----Other Evidence-----

Biogeographical evidence (distribution of plants and animals)

Anatomical Evidence (homologous, analogous, Vestigial structures)

Biochemical Evidence (DNA, ATP, different amino acids)

----Intelligent Design----

Faith based, and not scientific

----Natural Selection----

Species adapt to environment

Critical Elements (Variation, Competition for Limited Resources, Adaptation)

C. Classification of Humans

----DNA Data and Human Evolution----

Using DNA more

DNA sequencing

----Humans are Primates----

Mobile limbs, grasping hands, flattened face, binocular vision, complex brain

----Comparing Human Skeleton to the Chimpanzee----

Human Spine exits from center; Ape exits at rear

Human Spine is S shaped; Ape is slightly curved

Human Pelvis is bowl shaped; Ape is longer and narrow

Human Femur is angled inward; Ape is outward

Human knee can support more weight

(http://www.whyevolution.com/chimps.html)

D. Evolution of Hominids

----The first hominid----

Branch of the evolutionary tree

----Hominid Features----

Bipedal posture (walk on two feet)

Shape of face

Brain size

----Earliest Fossil Hominids----

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Orrorin tugensis

Ardipithecus Kadabba

----Evolution of Australopithecines----

Slender

Powerful (strong upper bodies)

----Southern Africa----

Limbs are apelike

Large brain

----Eastern Africa----

Lucy (famous fossil)

Brain is small

(http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dlucy%2Band%2Bhominid%2Bpictures&w=375&h=500&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F2207%2F2170077028_6286ff2a81.jpg&size=128.9kB&name=2170077028_6286ff2a81.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fsortingoutscience%2F2170077028%2F&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fsortingoutscience%2F2170077028%2F&p=lucy+hominid&type=jpeg&no=1&tt=137&oid=92a57dcf52db6888&fusr=Sam_Wise&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fsortingoutscience%2F&tit=Lucy%2C+upright&sigr=11qk93jq5&sigi=11gn73jn5&sigb=123rmr54q&sigh=11fbhdulu)

E. Evolution of Humans

----Early humans----

Homo habilis (2 million years ago)

Speech led to hunting

Hunters and gatherers shared food

Culture Begins

Homo Erectus ( 1.9 million years ago)

Have larger brain

Flatter face

Taller

Africa

Used Fire

---Evolution of Modern Humans----

Homo Sapiens

Multiregional continueity hypothesis (different)

Out-of-Africa hypothesis (same)

----Neandertals----

Massive brow ridges

Slightly larger brains

Muscled

Limbs were shorter and thicker

Ice Age

----Cro-magnons----

Oldest fossils

Replaced neandertals in Middle East

First to have language

Drawings on wall

----Human Variation----

Different ethnicities

Colder regions have bulkier body, shorter limbs, and smaller ears and digits

II. Global Ecology and Human Interferance

A. Nature of Ecosystems

----Ecosystems----

Temperature and Rainfall define binomes

Aquatic ecosystems (salt and fresh water)

Ocean accounts for 70% of Earth

----Biotic Components of an Ecosystem----

Living things

Autotrophs (inorganic nutrients and outside energy; "producers")

Heterotrophs (need source of organinc nutrients; consume food, herbavores, carnivores, and omnivores)

Niche (role of an organism)

----Energy Flow and Chemical Cycle----

Chemical cycle begins when producers take inorganic nutirents from physical environment

Evergy flow begins when producers absorb solar energy

All energy content converts to heat

B. Energy Flow

Food Web

Grazing Food Web

Detrital Food Web

Trophic levels (grazing and Detrital)

Ecological Pyramids (10% of energy level is available for next level)

C. Global Biogeochemical Cycles

----Water cycle----

1. Evaporation from ocean

2. Prescipitation to ocean/land

3. Transpiration from plants and evaporation from soil

4. Fresh water to ocean

5. Runoff

6. Aquifers

(http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclehi.html)

----The Carbon Cycle----

1. Photosynthesis

2. Respiration

3. Give off Biocarbonates

4. Bicarbonate in water equal to bicarbonate in air

5. Decomposation/waste

6. Fossil Fuels

7. Distruction of vegitation and combustion

--Global Warming----

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Carbon_cycle-cute_diagram.svg)

----The Nitrogen Cycle----

1. Nitrogen Fixation

2. Nitrogen gas converts to Nitrate

3. Ammonium is converted to Nitrate (soil)

4. Nitrate-producing bacteria convert ammonium to nitrate

5. Convert nitrate to nitrate

6. Assimilation

7. Denitrification

8. Human activites alter (fertilizers)

(http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html)

----The Phosphorus Cycle----

1. Oceanic sediments move to land

2. Weathering

3. Becomes available to plants

4. Animals eat producers

5. Death and Decay of Animals

6. Runoffs

7. On land again

8. Human activities interfere

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Phoscycle-EPA.jpg)

III. Human Population, Planetary Resources, and Conservation

A. Human Population Growth

----MDC's and LDC's

MDC's (decline in death rate, and no leveling off)

LDC's (level off)

3 age groups (Prereproductive, reproductive, and postreproductive)

B. Human Use of resources and Pollution

non-renewable resources and renewable resources

----Land----

Beaches and Human Habitation (70%)

Semiarid lands and Human Habitation (animals overgraze land and soil can't soak in water)

Tropical Rain forest and Human Habitation (deforestation)

----Water----

Increasing water supplies (dams and aquafiers)

Conservation of water

----Food----

growing crops, farming animals, and fishing

modern farming negatives (planting few genetic variance, heavy use of fertilizers, generous watering, excessive fuel consumption)

Soil loss and degradation

Green revolutions (genetic engineering)

Domestic Livestock

----Energy----

Non-Renewable resources (fossil fuels; oil, natural gas)

Renewable Resources

Hydropower (falling water)

Geotherman Energy (uranium, thorium, radium, plutonium)

Wind power

Solar Hydrogen Revolution (collected, converted, and stored)

----Minerals----

Non-renewable raw materials from the Earth's crust

Dangerous metals

Hazardous Waste

C. Biodiversity

----Loss of Biodiversity----

Habitat loss

Alien Species (exotics)

Pollution (acid deposition, global warming, ozone depletion, synthetic organic chemicals)

Overexploration (taking exotic plants and animals out of habitat)

---Direct Value of Biodiversity----

Medicinal Value

Agricultrual Value

Consumptive use Value

----Indirect Value of Biodiversity----

Waste disposal

Provision of freshwater

prevention of soil erosion

Biogeochemical cycles

Regulation of climate

ecotourism