Evolution

Abstract

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

• describe environmental conditions on the early Earth and explain how we think that they have changed

• describe how fossils form and explain their importance in the study of evolution

• understand how the studies of comparative anatomy and classification are useful in the study of evolution

• compare the theories of Lamarck and Darwin

• explain how genetics shows how evolution can take place

• describe an example of natural selection in action

• explain how a new species may form