|
Introduction
Procedure
Human
Variants
Grading
Criteria
Student
Sample
Questions
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
Darwin
is credited with explaining how evolution occurs through the
process of natural selection. One opposition to Darwin's
theory of evolution was his inability to explain how new traits
are created or how they are inherited. Ironically, about
the time Darwin outlined his ideas on evolution in his seminal
book, The
Origin of Species,
an Austrian monk named Gregor
Mendel
aid down the scientific groundwork for how heredity works, (although
Darwin was unaware of Mendel's studies!)
Today, we know that inherited traits such as skin color, height,
ear shape, etc. are genetically influenced, although as with
most characteristics, the environment also shapes what the organism
looks like. Genes are the inherited information which tell cells
how to make an organism to be, for example, small or large,
thin or round. Many studies have shown that these genes can change
to make slightly different traits. Random changes in a
gene are called mutations. Changes in the gene
pool of a population of organisms produces genetic
variation.
Over time, from generation-to-generation, a small population
of organisms can evolve into a distinct group of species if their
genetic changes are isolated from outside populations, a process
called genetic
drift. |
|
|
|
|
|
To
contact us:
Phone: (978)264-4700 x3412
Fax: (978)266-2529
e-mail: Brian_Dempsey@mail.ab.mec.edu
e-mail:
Aaron_Mathieu@mail.ab.mec.edu
96 Hayward Road
Acton, MA 01720
|
