Chapter 2: The Evidence for EvolutionDestinations |
Explore key concepts and research through these links to additional web resources.
2.1 Evidence of change through time
Why Evolution Matters
This resource site, sponsored by PBS provides interactive links to web resources about Evolution and why this theory is relevant to many biological fields including Agriculture, Environment and Medicine.
Keywords: evolution, PBS, resource
Evolution Revolution
This is a website with an interactive timeline of the history of evolutionary theory. This site is sponsored by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and features the progress of evolution theories emergence in public schools and the challenges that surround its acceptance into society and education.
Keywords: PBS, society, public school system
The History of Evolutionary Thought
Read biographies of some of the key players in the development of evolutionary theory, beginning with Aristotle, continuing through many of Darwin's contemporaries (including Sir Richard Owen, Louis Agassiz, George Cuvier and others), and including Alfred Wegener, the father of plate tectonic theory at this site hosted by the University of California, Berkeley's Museum of Paleontology.
Keywords: plate tectonics, paleontology, theory
Darwin Foundation
Founded in 1959, under the auspices of UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (previously World Conservation Union), the Charles Darwin Foundation is dedicated to the conservation of the Galapagos ecosystems. The Foundation operates the Charles Darwin Research Station to conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation.
Keywords: Darwin, UNESCO, conservation
2.2 Evidence of common ancestry
Homology of Mammalian Forelimbs
This is just a cool little animated illustration of the homology of mammalian forelimbs. It doesn't represent an evolutionary sequence but does make the homologies very clear.
Keywords: forelimbs, homology, evolution
Transitional Vertebrate Fossils
Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ Copyright © 1994-1997 by Kathleen Hunt [Last Update: March 17, 1997]. Written for the archives of the newsgroup Talk origins, by a doctoral student in vertebrate zoology, this hypertext document explains the nature of transitional forms in general, provides background information about the predictions about transitional forms made by both creationist and evolutionary theory, and provides an extensive listing and explanation of numerous transitional vertebrate forms. References to the primary scientific literature are included.
Keywords: vertebrates, fossils, zoology
2.3 The age of the Earth
Introduction to Geologic Time
Published by the United States Geologic Survey, this site includes an introduction to geologic time, the history and development of the relative time scale, illustrations of the geologic column with major index fossils, a discussion of radiometric dating, and a discussion of the age of the earth.
Keywords: geology, fossils, radiometric dating
Plate Tectonics
From the USGS, this on-line primer about plate tectonics has two components, a primer for beginners and an on-line version of a popular more detailed booklet. Both include descriptions of the historical development of plate tectonic theory as well as discussions about how plate tectonics work. Both are clearly and well illustrated.
Keywords: plate tectonics, theory, geologic time
2.4 Is there necessarily a conflict between evolutionary biology and religion?
Science and Faith-PBS Discussion
This is a roundtable datable from the Public Broadcasting system that addresses the issues of evolutionary biology and religion. The Panel is comprised of professors in the fields of biological sciences, philosophy, and theology in addition to physical biochemist who is also an Anglican priest.
Keywords: evolution, religion, faith