ANTH100 Lecture 2: Biology, Genetics, and Evolution

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTH100
• Professor: Gotz Hoeppe

Document Summary

Scientific theories are based on testable hypotheses. Scientific theories provide mechanisms to account for the diversity of life on earth. The science of taxonomy classified living organisms into a series of progressively more inclusive categories on the basis of visual similarities and developmental patterns. Carolus linnaeus devised the systema naturae, the first system to classify living things on the basis of similarities in body structure, body function, and sequence of bodily growth. Modern taxonomy adds genetic characteristic to the basic linnaen system. Species, the smallest working units in biological classificatory systems, are reproductively isolated population or groups of populations capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring. Domain, kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus, species. Charles darwin formulated his theory of evolution in 1859, based on differential reproductive success among members of a population that become adapted to their environment through natural selection. Four evolutionary forces mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection affect the genetic structures of populations.