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Evolution Site – Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts of biology teachers, misinformation about evolution persist. People who have taken in popular science myths often assume that biologists do not believe in evolution. This rich Web site, which is a complement to the PBS program, provides teachers with materials which support evolution education, while avoiding the kinds of misconceptions which hinder it. It's laid out in a “bread crumb” format to aid in navigation and orientation. Definitions It is difficult to properly teach evolution. People who are not scientists often have a difficult time understanding the subject and some scientists employ a definition that confuses it. This is particularly relevant to discussions about the nature of the word. It is essential to define terms used in evolutionary biology. Understanding Evolution's website does this in an easy and helpful way. It is a companion for the 2001 series, but also a resource on its own. The material is organized in a manner that makes it easier to navigate and understand. The site defines terms like common ancestor, the gradual process and adaptation. These terms help define the nature of evolution and its relationship to evolution to other concepts in science. The site also provides an overview of how the concept of evolution has been tested and confirmed. This information can help dispel myths created by creationists. It is also possible to access a glossary of terms used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation: The tendency for heritable characteristics to become more suitable to a particular setting. This is the result of natural selection. 에볼루션 occurs when organisms that have better-adapted characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with less adaptable traits. Common ancestor (also known as common ancestor) The most recent ancestor that is shared by two or more species. The common ancestor can be identified by studying the DNA of the species. Deoxyribonucleic Acid: A large biological molecular containing the necessary information for cell replication. The information is stored in nucleotides arranged in sequences that are strung together into long chains, called chromosomes. Mutations are responsible for the creation of new genetic information within cells. Coevolution is the relationship between two species where evolution of one species are influenced by evolutionary changes in the other. Coevolution can be seen through the interaction between predator and prey, or parasites and hosts. Origins Species (groups that can crossbreed) change by a series of natural variations in their offspring's traits. These changes can be caused by various factors, including natural selection, gene drift and mixing of the gene pool. The evolution of new species can take thousands of years. Environmental conditions, like changes in the climate or competition for food and habitat, can slow or accelerate the process. The Evolution site traces through time the evolution of different species of plants and animals and focuses on major changes in each group's history. It also examines the evolution of humans, which is a topic that is particularly important to students. When Darwin wrote the Origin of Species, only a handful of antediluvian human fossils had been discovered. One of them was the infamous skullcap and bones that were discovered in 1856 at the Little Feldhofer Grotto in Germany, which is now known as an early Homo neanderthalensis. It is unlikely that Darwin was aware of the skullcap, which was published in 1858, one year after the first edition of The Origin. Origin. The site is mostly a biology site however, it also has many details on paleontology and geology. One of the most appealing features of the Web site are a timeline of events which show how geological and climatic conditions changed over time, and an outline of the distribution of a few fossil groups that are featured on the site. The site is a companion to a PBS TV series but it can also be used as an educational resource by teachers and students. The site is extremely well-organized and offers clear links between the introduction content in Understanding Evolution (developed with support from the National Science Foundation) and the more sophisticated elements of the museum Web site. These links facilitate the transition from the engaging cartoon style of the Understanding Evolution pages to the more sophisticated world of research science. In particular there are links to John Endler's experiments using guppies that illustrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life on Earth has resulted in a variety of animals, plants, and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures within their natural environment offers many advantages over modern observational or research methods of studying evolutionary phenomena. In addition to exploring processes and events that take place regularly or over a lengthy period of time, paleobiology allows to study the diversity of species of organisms and their distribution across the geological time. The website is divided into various paths that can be chosen to learn about evolution. One of these paths, “Evolution 101,” guides the user through the evolution of nature and the evidence of evolution. The course also focuses on misconceptions regarding evolution, as well as the history of evolutionary thinking. Each of the other sections of the Evolution site is similarly developed, with materials that support a variety of curriculum levels and pedagogical styles. In addition to the general textual content, the site offers an array of multimedia and interactive content including videos, animations and virtual labs. The breadcrumb-like arrangement of the content aids in navigation and orientation on the large web site. For instance the page “Coral Reef Connections” gives a brief overview of coral relationships and their interactions with other organisms, then narrows down to a single clam that is able to communicate with its neighbors and respond to changes in the water conditions at the level of the reef. This page, as well as the other multidisciplinary multimedia and interactive pages, offers a great introduction to many topics in evolutionary biology. The content also includes an overview of the importance of natural selection as well as the concept of phylogenetic analysis, which is an important method to understand evolutionary changes. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is a common thread that is found throughout all branches of biology. A wide selection of resources helps teachers teach evolution across the life science disciplines. One resource, which is the companion to PBS's television show Understanding Evolution is an excellent example of an Web site that provides depth and broadness in terms of educational resources. The site has a wide array of interactive learning modules. It also has an embedded “bread crumb” structure that helps students move from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution to elements on this huge site that are more closely linked to the field of research science. For example, an animation introducing the idea of genetic inheritance connects to a page highlighting John Endler's artificial selection experiments using guppies in the ponds of his native country of Trinidad. Another helpful resource is the Evolution Library on this web site, which contains an extensive collection of multimedia assets related to evolution. The content is organized into courses that are based on curriculum and follow the learning goals established in the biology standards. It includes seven short videos designed specifically for use in classrooms, and can be streamed at no cost or purchased on DVD. Evolutionary biology is a field of study with a lot of important questions, such as what triggers evolution and the speed at which it takes place. This is especially applicable to human evolution where it has been difficult to reconcile the idea that the physical characteristics of humans evolved from apes and religions that believe that humanity is unique among living things and holds a an enviable place in creation. It is soul. In addition there are a variety of ways in which evolution could be triggered with natural selection being the most popular theory. Scientists also study other types such as genetic drift and sexual selection. Many fields of inquiry are in conflict with the literal interpretations of the Bible Evolutionary biology has been the subject of intense controversy and resistance from religious fundamentalists. While certain religions have been able to reconcile their beliefs with the ideas of evolution, other religions haven't.