For Introduction to Evolution In chapter 6 of The Tangled Bank by Carl Zimmer, we learned that there is a simple equation to describe the rate of evolutionary change: Rate of evolutionary change = "heritability of trait" x "strength of selection" In the Rapid Evolution video, TREY the Explainer provides a couple of textbook examples.  … Continue reading Rapid Evolution

For Introduction to Evolution - Chapter 3 Amazon Review In chapter 2, we learned about a few important historical figures that contributed to the pre-Darwin field of evolution.  William Smith's "map that changed the world" provided the first example of "biostratigraphy" where the relative ages of fossils are inferred from the layer of rock/deposits the fossil … Continue reading Dating Older Humans

For Introduction to Evolution We will be reading The Tangled Bank by Carl Zimmer this semester as we are introduced to evolution.  Chapter 1 of that book brings up the incredible case of whale evolution.  This video does too, so it's a great complement to your upcoming reading assignment.  Moreover, this video highlights eight lines … Continue reading Eight Independent Lines of Evidence for Evolution