Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Province of Laguna

Biological Evolution
 Biological Evolution
Objectives
1.To discuss the Theory of Natural Selection.
2. To identify the distinct features of Human.
3. To sharpen one’s mind about the evolution of man.

Content
Charles Darwin
 A scientist, contributed greatly to the intellectual development of the 19th century.
 He reasoned that human behavior and appearance changed with the passage of
time.
 He surmised that such a change is a natural human instinct for the survival of the
race. The idea became known as the Theory of Natural Selection
Theory of Natural Selection
 According to the theory, some creatures adapt better to their environment
because of distinct characteristics that other species do not possess.
 There is a great opportunity to pass on these characteristics to future
generations.
 Since life and the source of food are limited in the complex relationship of
creatures in the world, it is not surprising that the weaker perishes and the
stronger reigns supreme.
 The Theory of Natural Selection is also used to explain the evolution of humans.
 This Theory shook the world.
 Darwin, who raised an Anglican, knew that it did not conform to the teachings of
mainstream Christianity.
 It was inevitable that clashes between those who believed in divine creation
erupted.
 It was difficult to accept the view that humans came from a lower life form
because they are the center of God’s creation as stated in the teachings of the
bible.
 The religious fought Darwin’s theory while some scientists doubted Darwin’s
methodology.
 Some scientists opposed the timeline assigned by Darwin with some intrigued by
the transplant of genetic traits to future races.
Human Evolution
 “A human is an animal.”
 According scientists, the ancestors of human and apes are the same. The
species changed and branched out into apes and humans.
 Humans came from the species of homonids or two-legged primates. Nothing
was left of the other homonids through the passage of time except for the
humans.
 Remains of ancient people have been excavated in Africa, Europe, and Asia
bolstering the theory that humans came from homonids, whose age is estimated
at 6 million years.
  While humans belong to the category of animals, they became dominant
because of their language, technology, history, and civilization. Because of
evolution, humans continue to be strong and intelligent.

Distinct Features of Humans

 Homo erectus left Africa for China and Indonesia. Subsequently, the species of
Homo erectus branched out into two different species: Homo neanderthalensis
and Homo sapiens. We belong to the Homo sapiens species.
 What are the characteristics of Homo sapiens that distinguish them from ancient
hominids?
 Bipedalism or the ability to stand and walk on two instead of four feet, which
makes them:
a. See wild animals even from a distance;
b. Freely lotter around to breathe air; and,
c. Most importantly, able to use two hands to gather and carry food.
 The ability to engage in toolmaking.
 Archaeological remains show evidence of tools used by ancient people such as
sticks and stones.
 The capacity to think progressed as a result of innovations in tool making.
 The use of the intellectual and creative thinking to improve life on earth.
 Evolution did not happen in an instant. Instead, it developed through the complex
relationship of humans with their environment throughout time.
Evolution by Human Intervention
 Because of humans are more intelligent than animals, there is a strong possibility
that they can control even the natural course of evolution.
 While the implication of controlling the course of evolution is still a puzzle to
many, it is not farfetched to think of the potential power of people just as Melford
Wolpoof thought. He argued that even a climate could be changed to preserve
the human race.
 Presently, cloning is no longer a myth.
 A lot of technological breakthroughs can change the features and characteristics
of Homo sapiens.
Racial Types
 An individual is unique even if he or she has a twin brother or sister.
 Many descriptions may be used to show or determine the similarities and
differences of each person.
 Race is one of the ways to show the similarities of people.
 Race is biological concept. It is the comparative description of a group in relation
to others based on their adaptation to their environments.
 It is the description of a group of people, which can be compared according to
the following features: Color of skin, type of color of hair, blood type
 Each features shows the adaptation of a racial group to the environments
inhabited by their ancestors.

Racial Feature Negroid Caucasoid Mongoloid

Color of Skin Black White Yellowish
 Hair type and color Curly or dark Straight; curly; Straight, dark;
blonde; red brown; smooth, not hairy
hirsute of hairy or hirsute
Shape of body, Elongated body; Elongated body; tall Round, prominent
head, and face snub-nosed, round body-frame; cheekbones
head pointed-nosed
Eye shape and Dark brown, black Blue, green, brown Almond-shaped,
color brown
Area of Africa, America Europe, China, Central
concentration Mediterranean Asia, Southeast
countries Asia, Indigenous
peoples of North
and South America

Reference:
Fornier,J.N.Banasihan.M. et’al (2006): ASIA: History, Civilization and Culture. Anvil
Publishing Inc.
 Biological Evolution
Exercise 1
Direction: Identify the word needed in each number. Write your answer in the space
provided.
_________________1. According to the theory, some creatures adapt better to their
environment because of distinct characteristics that other species do not possess.
_________________2. A scientist, contributed greatly to the intellectual development of
the 19th century.
_________________3. Humans came from this species.
_________________4. According scientists, the ancestors of human and ______are the
same.
_________________5. Estimated age of homonids
_________________6. Because of this, humans continue to be strong and intelligent.
_________________7. It is the comparative description of a group in relation to others
based on their adaptation to their environments.
_________________8. He argued that even a climate could be changed to preserve the
human race.

_________________9. Tools used by ancient people based on archeologists.

_________________10. The ability to stand and walk on two instead of four feet

Exercise 2
Direction: Complete the table below.
Racial Feature Negroid Caucasoid Mongoloid
Color of Skin

Hair type and color

Shape of body,
head, and face

Eye shape and

color

Area of
concentration

Exercise 3
Essay
1. Do you believed that humans evolved from apes? Support your answer.
2. Compare racism with bullying. Are there similarities? Explain your answer.
 Biological Evolution
Answer Key
Exercise 1
1.Theory of Natural Selection
2.Charles Darwin
3. Homonids or two-legged primates
4. Apes
5. 6 million years
6. Evolution
7. Race
8. Melford Wolpoof
9. Sticks and stones
10. Bipedalism

Exercise 2

Racial Feature Negroid Caucasoid Mongoloid

Color of Skin Black White Yellowish
Hair type and color Curly or dark Straight; curly; Straight, dark;
blonde; red brown; smooth, not hairy
hirsute of hairy or hirsute
Shape of body, Elongated body; Elongated body; tall Round, prominent
head, and face snub-nosed, round body-frame; cheekbones
head pointed-nosed
Eye shape and Dark brown, black Blue, green, brown Almond-shaped,
color brown
Area of Africa, America Europe, China, Central
concentration Mediterranean Asia, Southeast
countries Asia, Indigenous
peoples of North
and South America