Misconceptions of EvolutionBy: Timmy, Luke, Yining, Katy

Evolution is a scientific law

Evolution is a theory:A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain natural phenomena <a theory of organic evolution> (Merriam Webster's)Theories are not untrue, they are simply impossible to prove completely with today’s technology.

Species always undergo evolution to improve

Irish ElkExtinct approx. 8,000 years agoEvolved to have 11 foot antlers

These antlers restricted movement and required large amounts of calcium and phosphate to grow, which in turn caused osteoporosis. This made it vulnerable to predators.

Evolution always occurs over long periods of timeEvolution occurs over generations, not time. In species with short lifespans, these generations are much quicker.

Pink Salmon:Evolved to be 30% smaller in two decades

New fishing techniques using nets caused smaller fish to escape and be able to breed.

Evolution is based on acquired traitsEvolution is based on genetics.

Arnold SchwarzeneggerHis children will not be born with a large muscle mass based on his bodybuilding.

Pink SalmonSee last slide

Theory is about the origin of life

The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. (Oxford Dictionary)

Not a theory on how life came to be.

Evolution is not observable

Evolution can occur quickly enough to observe i.e. pink salmon

Fossil record can show obvious similarities between species thus showing the evolutionary pattern.

Homologous Structures

Humans have stopped evolvingIf populations are not isolated, it is almost impossible for evolution to stop.

anthropologist Ian Tattersall of New York's American Museum of Natural History.