Due Wednesday March 2, 2005 at 9:00 AM
This assignment uses two web sites: The UC Berkeley online Museum of Paleontology and the PBS web site. This assignment must be typed.
1. Read through the web site http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/index.shtml on evidence for evolution, following the 'next topic' links through the sections on Fossil Evidence, Homologies, Distribution in Time and Space, and Evidence by Example. Stop when you come to the 'Quick Quiz' section. From the reading, pick 4 lines of evidence for the theory of evolution. Describe the basic idea for each line of evidence in 1-2 sentences and then give one example for each line of evidence. Explain the example in 1-2 sentences. (4 points)
2. The PBS web site has a movie which can be downloaded on evolution of the eye, narrated by zoologist Dan-Erik Nilssen. Please read the web site above and watch this movie (you'll need either RealPlayer or Quicktime). List the chain of events that Nilssen identifies for eye evolution. (2 points)
3. Go back to the UC Berkeley online Museum of Paleontology, this time you will be taking 'Evolution 101' . Notice the green bar at the top of the page. Read through the yellow links within the green bar (Definitions, Patterns, Mechanisms, Microevolution, etc.). Use what you learn in the readings to answer the following questions with a few sentences.
3a) what is microevolution? (1 point)
3b) what is macroevolution? (1 point)
3c) what is a species? (1 point)
3d) go to the 'pace of evolution' section (it's under 'Big Issues'). What is punctuated equilibrium? (1 point)
3e) what theories compete with the idea of punctuated equilibrium? (1 point)
4. For this question, use the PBS web site on Science and Faith Read the statements of the 4 panelists, Francisco Ayala, Mark Noll, Arthur Peacocke, and Robert Pollack. Each statement is about 2 paragraphs. You may want to read some of the discussion sections as well, although this is not required. Once you have read these statements, please tell us your opinion on whether or not there exists a conflict between evolution and religion, and how this could be resolved. There is no right or wrong answer to this question! You will be graded only on how clearly you express your ideas. All you need to do is put some good thought into the articles, clearly develop your thoughts on the issue, and explain to us why you choose your viewpoints. This is an exciting topic, but please limit your discussion. Write between 1 paragraph and 1 double-spaced page. If you are having trouble getting started on this essay, one option is to begin by agreeing or disagreeing with a point made by one of the panelists, for example, 'I liked the quote of Pope John Paul II used by Francisco Ayala because...' (4 points) We will spend some class time on Wednesday March 4 discussing the statements of the panelists, so come prepared for discussion.