1.) What is the definition of a scientific theory? How does this differ from the English language definition of theory?
In the English Language a theory is a guess or and speculation that someone has. A scientific theory is statement that has been tested many times and is backed by evidence.
2.) Describe Charles Darwin's Principle of Divergence.
The principle of divergence states that if the is one species of animal the genetics will change and that animal will adapt due to its surroundings until eventually you will have two types of animals.
3.) What event led Darwin to publish his quick and dirty abstract On the Origin of Species?
Darwin decided to publish On the Origin of Species after other naturalist started to classify animals. For example in 1735 Carolus Linneaus came up with a way to classify animals by their shared similarities.
4.) Richard Owen advanced the idea of homologues. Describe this idea and discuss at least one example of homologous structures.
Homologous structures refers to the bone structure of similar animals. Humans have five digits along with bears, apes, and raccoons. This structure is slightly changed in other animals like cats. Owen was interested to find out why there was a basic design then small variations to make the different animals. Darwin's explanation was natural selection, saying that the small variations are for different situations that the animal is faced with.
5.) Discuss the evolution of Stapholococcus aureus. What are the implications of this for the field of medicine?
Stapholococcus aureus is a bacteria that lurks in hospitals and causes infection. Penicillin was the first cure in 1943. Since then the bacteria has evolved and new cures are created. Because we have to continually make cures for this bacteria it might evolve to the point where we can no longer cure it.
6.) In the passage describing Gingerich's whale research, the author discusses the change in evolutionary thought brought about by the discovery of the astragalus (ankle bone). Summarize this change in thought.
The discovery of the ankle bone change Gingrich's theory of whales coming from mesonychids. He know realized that whales had similarites to land animals like the antelope. Gringrich started to think that maybe only the fittest surivive. The idea evolution is big for Gingrich because he came from a Chruch that never talked about it. So natural he didn't believe in evoultion until he found evidence.
7.) Reflect on the article as a whole. What were your thoughts regarding the theory of evolution before reading this article? What are your thoughts regarding the theory of evolution now? Do you feel that there is sufficient evidence to accept the idea of evolution by natural selection. If your answer is no, what evidence would it take to convince you?
I have not spent much time thinking about evolution. I have talked with my dad about it and he told me how evolution has strong evidence to support it. After reading the article, my belief of evolution were confirmed because i haven't really looked into the subject. In this one article i think that there was a lot of evidence that point towards evolution, to my knowledge most of the people who don't believe in evolution are religious. Growing up in a family that wasn't very religious i think that i can be more open minded about the subject.
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