A) What is the statement for the Theory of Evolution, and does this statement in

Question

A) What is the statement for the Theory of Evolution, and does this statement include a description of the evolution of humans or other organisms? If you answer is no, then explain 1) how the Theory of Evolution is related to evolutionary lineages of humans and other organisms and 2) why it is appropriate to teach the Theory of Evolution. If your answer is yes, then 1) provide the definition of a Scientific Theory (as provided in lecture) versus hypothesis and 2) analyze the evidence supporting or refuting both the Theory of Evolution and the evolution of humans or other organisms.

B) An astrobiologist proclaims the discovery of a gaseous entity. The entity is formed from some rather unique elements from the periodic table not commonly found on earth. When two such entities interact with each other, the interaction always results in the formation of a third entity which is separate from the original two entities, neither of which is destroyed in the interaction. The process of this 'reproduction' is still unknown. Would you consider this to be evidence of life in outer space? Why of why not?

Explanation / Answer

A.1) Yes the theory of evolution includes the description of evolution of human and other organisms. Evolution refers to both a set of scientific facts that biological organisms have changes through time and all life has descended from a common ancestor.

2) Humans are said to evolve from simpler forms.

a) Ardipithecus is an extinct hominine lived during Late Miocene and Early Pliocene in Ethiopia. They are considered as earliest ancestors of humans that diverged from the ape lineage.

Ardipithecus ramidus can be related to chimpanzees in their behavior.

They had a small brain measuring about 300 to 350 cm3. This is approximately 20% of the size of the brain of Homo sapiens. A. ramidus were prognathic like the chimpanzees. The teeth lacked the specialization and suggested that they were omnivore or frugivore(fruit eater).

b) Australopithecus sp. Evolved around 4 million years ago in eastern Africa.

They are considered to be the first hominid to possess genes known as duplicate SRGAP2. This gene results in increasing the length and ability of neurons in the brain.

One of the species evolved into Homo genus in Africa H. habilis and eventually the modern humans Homo sapiens sapiens.

The brains were approx. 35% of the modern human brain. They were diminutive with height 1.2to 1.4 m. They showed sexual dimorphism males larger than females.

c) Homo habilis a species of Hominini during Pleisocene period approx. 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago.

They were short had very long arms compared to modern man. It has less protruding face than the australopithecines. The brain size was about half the size of modern humans.They were often accompanied by primitive stone tools.

d) The Homo species was discovered in Java. They are also known as erect ape man. The cranial capacity was large and they used fire. With stone tools bone tools and wooden tools were discovered. They were cave dwellers. They indulged in collective cooperative hunting.

Homo Neanderthalensis- The first evidence was a skull cap found in Germany. The cranial capacity exceeded that of modern man ranging between 1200 to 1610 c.c. Few hand axes were found. Some stone flakes seemed to be spearheads were found. They were involved in big game hunting like elephants and rhinos etc.    

Homo sapiens sapiens - The skeletal remains were found in Europe which dates back to 35000years . This was termed Cro-Magnon. There is reduction in jaws, the appearance of chin and round skull. The cranial capacity was about 1350 c.c. The drawings on cave walls suggest their interest in art. There are also evidence of hunting and gathering.

B) Yes this can be taken as an evidence of life in outer space. This can be explained on the basis of Big Bang theory. The chemical composition of all life forms on earth is derived from a select few ingredients. The elements hydrogen, oxygen and carbon account for over 95% of all the atoms present in human body and in all life forms.

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