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Self-Learning Module
Theories of Evolution
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
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Theories of Evolution
I. Introduction
Do you know why dinosaurs no longer exist today? Why some animals before are very different
from the animals we have now? From Grade 7 to Grade 9 you have learned that organisms are
grouped into Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. You also learned that
organisms possess unique characteristics. Some organisms may look the same but have distinct
differences from each other, others may not be related to one another but they have similar
functional features and characteristics. You may also wonder why some animals that are present
before are no longer existing today. Such extinction of organisms was caused by various
environmental factors and human activities. This module will give you an idea that maintaining
individual differences and variety of characteristics are important to ensure the survival of
species. This module will also discuss the different sources of possible evidence for evolution
such as fossil records, and developmental and molecular biology which gave way to the different
concepts about the origin of life. It will also provide a variety of activities to help you understand
the processes and mechanism of evolution. Through this module, it is hoped that you will be
encouraged to further take care of and protect our environment (e.g. natural resources), to ensure
the survival of species and conservation of our biodiversity.
II. Learning Competencies/Objectives
At the end of this module you are expected to:
1. State the Lamarck’s and Darwin’s Theories of evolution.
2. Explain the Lamarck’s and Darwin’s Theories of evolution.
Key questions for this module:
How can Natural Selection contribute to biodiversity or extinction?
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
3
Theories of Evolution
Jean Baptiste de Lamarck was the first evolutionist to believe that organisms change over
time. Using fossil records as a guide, Lamarck was able to develop three theories; one is The
Theory of Need which states that organisms change in response to their environment. Their
ability to survive helped them develop characteristics necessary for them to adapt in
a given environment.
Next is The Theory of Use and Disuse; which according to Lamarck, organs not in use will
disappear while organs in use will develop. Lamarck believed that giraffes before have short
necks, but because of the need to survive and in order to reach tall trees for food, they kept
stretching their necks until these became longer and able to reach taller trees. These acquired
characteristics were believed to be inherited by their offspring and propagated by the next
generation of giraffes. Lamarck called it as The Theory of Acquired Characteristics. If you
change the color of your hair from black to blond, do you think your child can inherit the blond
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
4
color of your hair? A young lady keeps on using whitening soap and becomes fair? Can her child
inherit her acquired fairness?
Many scientists rejected the theories of Lamarck. They understood that if there were changes in
cell or body structure, there could be changes in the genetic information of the species.
Darwinian Theory
The more popular Theory of Evolution proposed by Charles Darwin based on natural selection is
different from the theories of Lamarck. According to Darwin, giraffe species originally had
varying neck lengths but natural selection favored the survival of giraffes with longer necks that
could feed on taller trees that were available. Giraffes with short neck were eliminated due to
lack of accessible food supply.
Fifty years after Lamarck’s Theory of Use and Disuse, Charles Darwin suggested the Theory of
Natural Selection, after his voyage to the Galapagos Island in HMS Beagle. He was fascinated
by the diversity of organisms he found along the journey. In Galapagos Island, he observed that
finch species have different beak structures for different food types. The abundance of certain
finch species in an island was somehow related to the type of available food for these birds.
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
5
Darwin suggested that selection also takes place in nature. In selective breeding, farmer
identifies and selects the best and desirable trait to propagate. In natural selection, environmental
factors promote the survival of the fittest and eliminates the less fit.
Group Activity:
Survivor
Objective:
Determine the effect of environmental changes on adaptation and survival of a species.
Materials:
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
6
Tray (made up of chicken wire, 30 cm x 25 cm long and 4 cm thick)
surgical mask
alcohol lamp
magnet
rags or mittens
glass of tap
water
25 pieces of marbles
paper clips
paper square (1.5 cm x 1.5cm)
candles
plastic cellophane (1.5 cm x 1.5 cm)
Procedure:
1. Place inside the tray, 6 pieces each of marbles, paper clips, square paper, plastic cellophane,
and candles. Spread them thoroughly on the tray.
2. Hold the tray with a mitten and run it over an alcohol lamp for one minute.
Be careful while working with an alcohol lamp.
3. Remove the burnt materials and record the “survivors” or those that did not get burned.
4. For every one survivor, add two offspring. (Ex. for one marble, add two more marbles.)
5. Run along the magnet on the tray.
6. Count the number of survivors. Repeat procedure 4.
7. Using a glass of water, sprinkle water inside the tray.
8. Remove the wet and destroyed organisms on the tray.
9. Count and record the number of survivors and repeat procedure 4.
Disturbances
Materials/Organisms Fire (alcohol Earthquake Flood/Typhoon Total Number
Lamp) (Magnet) (Water) of Survivors
Marbles
Paper
Candles
Plastics
Paper Clips
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
7
Questions:
1. Which of the organisms has the most number of survivors?
2. Are there organisms that decrease in number or did not survive the three
environmental disturbances?
3. Compare and contrast the characteristics of organisms that survive and did not
survive the three environmental disturbances.
4. How can changes and disturbances in the environment affect the survival of the
species?
Your lesson in Grades 8 and 9 will affirm that genes can be transferred from parents to offspring.
You also learned that the combined genes of parents will bring about variation of traits. Variation
increases the chance of survival of living things. Organisms with the best and desirable traits
would likely adapt to environmental changes and may gradually become better suited to survive
in a given environment. Organisms which are best adapted to the environment will continue to
reproduce and perpetuate their own kind. Mating between surviving populations of the same
species may shift the abundance of a new breed of organism because of mutation, gene
combination, and natural selection. This then leads to speciation and may subsequently increase
biodiversity.
5. Can destruction of our natural resources affect the survival of species? How?
6. In what way can you help to protect our natural resources and save our biodiversity?
“Do you want to survive in any given environment or situation? Better quip yourself with
things and skills you need in order to survive.”
V. Summary/Synthesis/Feedback
• Jean Baptiste de Lamarck proposed The Theory of Need, The Theory of Use and Disuse
and The Theory of Acquired Characteristics.
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
8
• Charles Darwin presented the Theory of Evolution based on natural selection.
• Speciation or formation of a new species may occur through mutation, gene
combination, and natural selection.
• Speciation increases biodiversity.
VI. Summative Assessment
IV – Assessment:
On a whole sheet of paper
True or False
1. Scientists consider the theory of evolution an explanation of how life developed on Earth.
2. According to the Theory of Evolution, humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor.
3. Natural Selection is the mechanism by which evolution occurs.
Fill in the blank
In its simplest form, evolution means that species __________ over time.
Essay
Directions: Choose one theory of evolution, state the theory and explain it in 3 to
5 sentences only.
V – Assignment:
On a one whole yellow paper entitled “Follow the Track” on Unit 3 Module 3
pages 318-319.
Follow the Track
Objective:
• Explain the Theory of Natural Selection.
Materials:
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
9
• pen
• paper
Procedure:
1. Observe the set of footprints in the diagram.
2. Try to tell a story about the different events.
3. Predict what can probably happen at the end of the diagram.
Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3 Diagram 4
1. In Diagram 1, how many sets of footprints are there? Based on the size of footprints,
describe the organisms.
2. In what directions are the footprints going?
3. Describe or predict what is happening in Diagram 3. In Diagram 4.
Create your own story using the four diagrams and share it to the class. Organisms struggle for
existence in order to survive; they compete for food and space. Organisms with favorable and
advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce. Fitness refers to the ability of an organism to
survive and produce offspring. Different individuals in a population possess different
characteristics and abilities. This is called variation. Variation among individuals in the
population would likely bring greater chance of survival. An organism that is adapted and has
structures fitted to survive in a given environment would likely produce offspring.
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
10
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
11
References and Links
Printed Materials:
Alexander, P. Bahret, MJ, Charles, J., Chaves, J., Courts, G., D’Allessio,NS., Biology The
Living World, Prentice hall New Jersey. 1989.
Biology,Science and Technology Textbook, Department of Education, 1990.
Brittain, TM., Biology: The Living World Laboratory Manual, New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall
Englewood Cliffs.1989.
Campbell, NA., Williamson, B., Heyden, RJ., Biology: Exploring New Life, New Jersey USA:
Pearson Education Inc. 2004.
Capco, CM. Phoenix Science Series: Biology Quezon City Philippines: Phoenix Publishing
House. 2003.
Carale LR., Galvez, ER. Risa,L. Biology Science and Technology for Better Life, Gil Puyat Ave.,
Makati City Philippines: Basic Media System Inc.1989.
Delos Reyes, J. Introductory Biology, University of the Philippines, Manila: IPPAO. 1995.
Kent, M, Advance Biology, Great Claredon St. Oxford USA: Oxford University Press 2000.
Mader, SS. Biology, USA: WM C. Brown Publishing. 1985.
Meyer, DE. Biological Science a Molecular Approach, Boulder, Colorado, USA Biological,
Science Curriculum Study. 1980.
Olivares, M., Bermio, E., Cruz J., Science and Technology for the Modern World; SEMP II Diwa
Scholastic Press Inc. 2003.
Payawal, PC., Lannu, A., Lucia S.D., Sangalang, MF., Soligam, AC., Cadiz, NM., Torreta, NK.,
Biology: Study and Review Guide, Greenhills San Juan, Phil: Academe Publishing House
1993.
Rabago, LM., Joaquin, CC., Lagunzad, CG. Functional Biology, Vibal Publishing 2010.
Reading
Essentials for Biology, Teacher Annotated Edition, Glencoe science, McGraw Hill, New
York.USA.
Electronic Sources:
http.www.earth history.org.uk
http.www.albertawow.com
http.www.napedu/catalog.php?recor id+13165
http// petrified wood museum.org/imprints.htm
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
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http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/waldron/#evolutionPoole, Lynne Carbon -14.
www.chem.uwec.edu
Name: ERMITA, JOY FATIMA C.
Course: BSED III (COT)
Professor: JINA-LUZ Z. ALFELOR, Ed.D. Ph.D
