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Science
Quarter 3 – Module 6:
Theories of Evolution
S10LT-III-40
Learning Area – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 6: Theories of Evolution
First Edition, 2021

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for the learners.

After going through this module, the learner is expected to:

1. define evolution;
2. explain the occurrence of evolution (S10LT-III-40); and
3. trace the pattern of evolution

What I Know
Directions: Read and understand each question carefully and write the letter
of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the name of the book of Charles Darwin?

a. A Brief History of Time
b. On the Origin of Species
c. On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres
d. The Principia
2. He was a British naturalist and biologist known for his theory of evolution
and his understanding of the process of natural selection
a. Charles Darwin c. James Hutton
b. Charles Lyell d. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
3. He viewed species as fixed and could be arranged on a ladder or scale of
increasing complexity
a. Aristotle c. Charles Lyell
b. Carolus Linnaeus d. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
4. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is known for his theory that hypothesized that
species progress through ________
a. artificial selection c. natural selection
b. mutation d. use and disuse of body parts
5. It is a selective breeding”, where humans select desirable traits in
agricultural products or animals, rather than leaving the species to evolve
and change gradually without human interference, as in natural selection
a. adaptation c. mutation
b. artificial selection d. natural selection
6. It explains how populations can evolve in such a way that they become
better suited to their environments over time
a. adaptation c. mutation
b. artificial selection d. natural selection

1
7. In what year does Darwinian natural selection combined with Mendelian
inheritance to form the modern evolutionary synthesis?
a. 1920s b. 1930s c. 1940s d. 1950s
8. A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another and produce
fertile offspring
a. Class b. Family c. Genus d. Species
9. In this field, remnants or traces of organisms from the past are being
studied
a. Botany c. Paleontology
b. Ichthyology d. Pathology
10. According to this theory, animal and plant species are destroyed time
and again by deluges and other natural cataclysms, and that new species
evolve only after that
a. Big Bang Theory c. Lamarck’s Theory
b. Darwinian’s Theory d. Theory of Catastrophes

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 Lesson

6 Theories of Evolution

This module contains lessons about theories of evolution. The first

lesson discusses about evolution. As we go through the lesson we will learn
about the occurrence of evolution based on the ideas of different proponents
of evolution and what other scientists tell about species’ purpose of existence.
We will also learn about the two key ideas of Darwin in his book On the Origin
of Species which are the evolution and natural selection. In our lesson,
adaptation in the environment can also contribute to evolution. Growing
knowledge about the species traits by studying its biological structure leads
to selective breeding or selection of good traits in agricultural production
which we call artificial selection.

What’s In

You have learned from your previous lesson the evidences of evolution
which are the fossils, homologous body structure, similarities in early
development, and geographic distribution of living things.

Evolution is the change in the inherited traits of a population from

generation to generation. These traits are the expression of genes that are
copied and passed on to offspring during reproduction. Mutations in these
genes can produce new or altered traits, resulting in heritable differences
(genetic variation) between organisms. New traits can also come from transfer
of genes between populations, as in migration, or between species, in
horizontal gene transfer.
When heritable differences become more common or rare in a
population, either non-randomly through natural selection or randomly
through genetic drift, evolution occurs.
Over many generations, adaptations occur through a combination of
successive, small, random changes in traits, and natural selection of those
variants best-suited for their environment.

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 Species is a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another
and produce fertile offspring. However, when species are separated into
populations that are prevented from interbreeding, mutations, genetic drift,
and the selection of novel traits cause the accumulation of differences over
generations and the emergence of new species.
Theory of Evolution by natural selection was proposed roughly
simultaneously by both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, and set out
in detail in Darwin's 1859 book On the Origin of Species.
In the 1930s, Darwin’s natural selection was combined with Mendelian
inheritance to form the modern evolutionary synthesis in which the connection
between the units of evolution (genes) and the mechanism of evolution (natural
selection) was made.
This theory has become the central organizing principle of modern
biology, providing a unifying explanation for the diversity of life on Earth.

What’s New

Directions: Perform the given activities. Write your answers on a separate

sheet of paper.

Rice is the staple food in the Philippines. We are planting different

varieties of rice in our country. Dinorado, Intan, Milagrosa,
Sinandomeng, Wag-wag, C4, IR36, IR42, and IR64 are common varieties.
There are 53 others that are less common varieties of rice. In your own
idea, make a paragraph on how agriculturist make sure that we enjoy
rice as our daily food.

VARIETIES OF RICE
Source:https://www.uaex.edu/counties/miller/images/
45711b72f1c189367fd58c9cc8d5f114.jpg

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 What is It

Lamarck hypothesized that species progress

through the use and disuse of body parts and the
heritage of attained features but these mechanisms
are unconfirmed by evidence.

JEAN BAPTISTE LAMARCK

Source:https://nnsrscienceandreligion.weebly.com/jean-baptiste-
lamarck.html

LAMARCK’S GIRAFFE
Source:https://www.bioscience.com.pk/media/k2/items/cache/7d28
98c3630feea92ec1553d16389ff6_XL.jpg

The Greek philosopher Aristotle viewed

species as fixed (unchanged) and could be
arranged on a ladder or scale of increasing
complexity that is called the scale of nature (scala
naturae).

ARISTOTLE
Source:https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/
world/europe/greece-aristotle-tomb.html

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 Carolus Linnaeus interpreted organismal
adaptations as evidence that the Creator had
designed each species for a specific purpose.
Linnaeus was the founder of taxonomy, the
branch of biology concerned with classifying
organisms. He developed the binomial format for
naming species (for example, Homo sapiens).

CAROLUS LINNAEUS
Source:https://crev.info/scientists/carolus-linnaeus/

The study of fossils assisted to lay the basis for Darwin’s concepts. The
remnants or traces of organisms from the past is called fossils and are usually
set up in sedimentary rock, which looks in layers or strata. The study of fossils
which was mostly established by French scientist is called Paleontology.

In the first half of the 19th century, the

French naturalist Georges Cuvier developed his
theory of catastrophes. Accordingly, fossils
show that animal and plant species are
destroyed time and again by deluges and other
natural cataclysms, and that new species
evolve only after that.

GEORGES CUVIER
Source:https://alchetron.com/Georges-Cuvier

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 Geologists
James Hutton and
Charles Lyell
observed that
alterations in Earth’s
surface are outcomes
from slow unceasing
activities still working
at present.

CHARLES LYELL JAMES HUTTON

Source:https://publish.illinois.edu/founda Source:https://www.britannica.com/biogr
tionofmoderngeology/charles-lyell-1797- aphy/James-Hutton
1875/

The mechanisms of change are continuous over time or known as Lyell’s

principle of uniformitarianism which sturdily influenced Darwin’s thinking.

DARWINIAN THEORY
Charles Darwin’s published his book, “The Origin of Species” in
1859 that caught the attention of biologists about the diversity of
organisms. He noted that the existing species
are progenies of ancestral species.
The more popular Theory of Evolution
proposed by Charles Darwin based on natural
selection is different from the theories of
Lamarck.
According to Darwin, giraffe species
originally had varying neck lengths but natural
selection favored the survival of giraffes with
longer necks that could feed on taller trees that
were available. Giraffes with short neck were
eliminated due to lack of accessible food supply.

CHARLES ROBERT DARWIN

Source:https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28254783

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Descent with modification by natural selection
Darwin observed that plants and animals developed adaptation that due
to several diverse environments. He recognizes adaptation to the environment
and the foundation of new species as closely connected progressions after
reevaluating his observations.

According to his observation about finch

species, they have different beak structures for
different food types. The abundance of certain
finch species in an island was somehow related to
the type of available food for these birds.

GALAPAGOS FINCHES
Source:https://heise.cloudimg.io/width/344/q50.
png-lossy-50.webp-lossy-50.foil1/_www-heise-
de_/tp/imgs/89/1/9/3/6/7/6/5/1d9a0e236092
aeff.jpg

The Origin of Species:

On the Origin of Species, Darwin outlined his two key ideas: evolution
and natural selection.

The expression descent with modification denotes the view that all
organisms are associated through the lineage from a predecessor that lived in
the remote past.

The history of life can

be compare to a tree with branches
which signify life’s diversity based in
the Darwinian view that is
interconnected with the hierarchy of
Linnaeus. The three living species of
elephants, the Asian elephant
(Elephas maximus) and two species
of African elephants (Loxodonta
africana and L. cyclotis) are closely
related comparable species since
they have the similar line of origin
until a comparatively recent
separation from their common
successor.

DARWIN’S TREE OF LIFE

Source:https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28254783

4
Natural Selection, Artificial Selection, and Adaptation:

Natural Selection
Darwin's theory was based on the mechanism of natural selection,
which explains how populations can evolve in such a way that they become
better suited to their environments over time.
Individuals have variations within their heritable traits. Some variations
make an individual better suited to survive and reproduce in their
environment.
If this continues over generations, these favorable adaptations (the
heritable features that aid survival and reproduction) will become more and
more common in the population.
The population will not only evolve (change in its genetic makeup and
inherited traits), but will evolve in such a way that it becomes adapted, or
better-suited, to its environment.

Artificial Selection
Artificial selection, also called "selective breeding”, is where humans
select for desirable traits in agricultural products or animals, rather than
leaving the species to evolve and change gradually without human
interference, like in natural selection.

What’s More

Directions: Read the instructions provided and perform the given activities.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Objectives:

After performing this activity, you should be able to:

1. describe the difference in the teeth of each given animals
and of human
2. relate Darwin’s observation on finches’ beak to the
structure of teeth of different species
According to Darwin’s observation about finch species, they have
different beak structures for different food types. The abundance of certain
finch species in an island was somehow related to the type of available food
for these birds.

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 Animals and humans eat different kind of foods. These can be observed
through their teeth. Examine the set of teeth of different animals and human.
Can you describe the kind of food they eat?

HUMAN’S TEETH LION’S TEETH GOAT’S TEETH

https://med.news.am/eng/news/23523/5- https://www.1zoom.me/en/wallpaper/536256 https://sandcreekfarm.net/how-long-do-
interesting-facts-about-human-teeth.html /z992.5/2048x1363 goats-live/

1. Describe the difference in teeth of each species

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Why animals and humans have different structure of teeth?
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

Directions: Read the instructions provided and perform the given activities.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Fill in the blanks by supplying with words found inside the box.
1859 Charles Darwin Theory of Evolution On the Origin of
Species use and disuse eliminated survive

The book ___________________was published in ___________

by________________________ that outlined the two key ideas: evolution and
natural selection. The _________________________proposed by Darwin is
different from the theories of Lamarck. Lamarck hypothesized that species
progress through the ______________________ of body parts. In Darwin’s natural
selection, giraffes with long neck _________ and the giraffes with short
neck_____________ because of lack of food supply.

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 What I Can Do
Today, we learned that evolution occurs when genetic variations become
more common or rare in a population, either non-randomly through natural
selection or randomly through genetic drift.

There are different theories on the occurrence of evolution based on the

ideas of different proponents and other scientists tell about species’ purpose
of existence. We learned also the two key ideas of Darwin in his book On the
Origin of Species which are the evolution and natural selection. Based on what
we have learned, adaptation in the environment can also contribute to
evolution. Selective breeding or selection of good traits in agricultural
products and animals are applied to achieve quality products.

Based on what you have learned, make a paragraph that

encourages us to believe or not to believe the theory of evolution.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

7
 Assessment

Directions: Read and understand the given questions. Choose and write the
letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the name of the book of Charles Darwin?

a. A Brief History of Time
b. On the Origin of Species
c. On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres
d. The Principia
2. He was a British naturalist and biologist known for his theory of evolution
and his understanding of the process of natural selection
a. Charles Darwin c. James Hutton
b. Charles Lyell d. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
3. He viewed species as fixed and could be arranged on a ladder or scale of
increasing complexity
a. Aristotle c. Charles Lyell
b. Carolus Linnaeus d. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

4. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is known for his theory that hypothesized that

species progress through ________
a. artificial selection c. natural selection
b. mutation d. use and disuse of body parts

5. It is a selective breeding, where humans select desirable traits in

agricultural products or animals, rather than leaving the species to evolve
and change gradually without human interference, as in natural selection
a. adaptation c. mutation
b. artificial selection d. natural selection

6. It explains how populations can evolve in such a way that they become
better suited to their environments over time
a. adaptation c. mutation
b. artificial selection d. natural selection

7. In what year does Darwinian natural selection combined with Mendelian

inheritance to form the modern evolutionary synthesis?
a. 1920s b. 1930s c. 1940s d. 1950s

8
8. A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another and produce
fertile offspring
a. Class b. Family c. Genus d. Species

9. In this field, remnants or traces of organisms from the past are being
studied
a. Botany c. Paleontology
b. Ichthyology d. Pathology

10. According to this theory, animal and plant species are destroyed time
and again by deluges and other natural cataclysms, and that new species
evolve only after that
a. Big Bang Theory c. Lamarck’s Theory
b. Darwinian’s Theory d. Theory of Catastrophes

9
 10
What I Know What I Have Learned
1. B The book On the Origin of Species was
2. A published in 1859 by Charles Darwin
3. A that outlined the two key ideas:
4. D evolution and natural selection. The
5. B Theory of Evolution proposed by
6. D Darwin is different from the theories of
7. B Lamarck. Lamarck hypothesized that
8. D species progress through the use and
9. C disuse of body parts. In Darwin’s
10.D natural selection, giraffes with long
neck survive and the giraffes with short
neck eliminated because of lack of
supply of food.
What’s New What I Can Do
Mutation has been used in increasing Answer may vary
the quantitative and qualitative
properties of rice where gamma rays is
utilized. These will increase heading
time, plant length, and panicle number
per plant
What’s More Assessment
1. Humans eat both plants and 11.B
animals, and have broad, flat 12.A
molars for grinding up a variety of 13.A
foods. The front teeth are wide, 14.D
narrow at the tips, and somewhat 15.B
chisel-shaped, making them useful 16.D
for biting off chunks of meat or 17.B
plant material. 18.D
Lions have long, sharp front teeth 19.C
which help them catch and tear 20.D
into their prey.
Goats have broad, flat molars (back
teeth) with rough surfaces, which
are used for grinding up tough
plant tissues.
2.Animals have different structures of
teeth because of different type of
food they consumed.
Answer Key
References

Acosta, Hermana D., Liza A. Alvarez, Dave G. Angeles, Ruby D. Arre, Ma. Pilar
P. Carmona, Aurelia S. Garcia, Arlen Gatpo, Judith F. Marcaida, Ma.
Regaele A. Olarte, Marivic S. Rosalaes, and Nilo G. Salazar. 2015.
Science 10 Learners’ Material. Pasig City: REX BOOK STORE INC.

Padilla, Krystel Grace V., MSc., n.d. General Zoology Module (Part 1),
Chemistry and Environmental Science Department, College of Arts and
Sciences, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

Whitson, Maggie Dr., 2020. Animal Adaptations. Accessed January 27, 2021.
https://www.nku.edu/~whitsonma/Bio120LSite/Bio120LReviews/Bio
120LAnimalRev.html#:~:text=Omnivores%20(such%20as%20humans)
%20eat,Return%20to%20top.

Marty, Christoph. 2009. Darwin, Cuvier, and Lamark. Scientific American.

Accessed January 27, 2021
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/darwin-cuvier-and-
lamarck/

Boundless Biology. n. d. Understanding Evolution. Accessed January 27, 2021.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
biology/chapter/understanding-evolution/

Ch22notes. n.d. Darwin & Natural Selection. Accessed January 27, 2021.
http://facstaff.cbu.edu/~jmoore25/GenBioNotes/Ch22notes.pdf

Khan Academy. 2021. Evolution and natural selection review.

Accessed January 27, 2021,
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs
evolution/hs-evolution-and-natural-selection/a/hs-evolution and-
natural-selection-review

Philippine Food. 2011. Philippine Rice Varieties. Accessed January 27, 2021.
http://philfoodie.blogspot.com/2011/05/philippine-rice-varieties.html

Nordan Symposia. 2020. Evolution. Accessed January 27, 2021.

https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/Evolution