Evidence for the Theory of Evolution

Summary
This video explains evolution in a simple, comprehensible way, and presents the four phenomena that evolution explains. It also provides evidence for the Theory of Evolution. The guy in the video first explains that all life is descended from the first prokaryotic organisms, and that evolution is not a completely random process. Throughout the video, he explains how the Theory of Evolution was revised and edited over time. The first phenomenon that evolution explains is fossils. He talks about that for a little bit, and the goes on to explain the evolution of whales. Next, he talks a tiny bit about Carolus Linnaeus and taxonomy, and then continues to homologous structures, his second phenomenon. He explains the homologous forelimbs between whales, humans, and bats, and how they are used differently. He mentions that all mammals look the same as embryos. He explains that all organisms on Earth use DNA or RNA as their genetic material. The video also discusses that, by sequencing the genome of two organisms, you can tell how closely they are related. The third phenomenon is biogeography. The video reflects on the parallel between evolution and geographic change, and explains how geographic isolation works on species. The guy talks about why Australia has so many marsupial species and why the rest of the world doesn't. Next, he talks about Darwin's finches a little, and then goes on to the topic of observable evolution, his fourth phenomena/evidence for evolution. In some cases, evolution is easily visible during a human lifespan of about eighty years. He discusses how, due to natural selection, insects become resistant to pesticides, and, by the same token, how bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. At last, the video explains the difference between microevolution and macroevolution.

Relevance
In the current term in Biology, we are learning about the concept of evolution. We are studying fossils, Carolus Linnaeus, taxonomy, and homologous structures. We talked a lot about the evolution of whales. Also, we discussed embryology, molecular genetics as evidence for evolution (as well as molecular genetics in general), and geographic isolation. We also are learning about Darwin's voyage, as well as other major steps in the development of the Theory of Evolution. We also discussed natural selection, microevolution, and macroevolution.

Information
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3GagfbA2vo
Author: crashcourse
Date of Publication: June 11, 2012