EVOLUTION

The change in heritable traits of a population over successive generations, as determined by

shifts in the allele frequencies of gene is called devolution.

HUMAN EVOLUTION

Human beings have many similarities and differences, e.g., height, weight, and color. One can
differentiate between individuals due to these variations. The differences shown by the individuals
of one kind of organism are called variations. Variations are due to heredity and non-heredity
characteristics. Two types of variations occur in large population.

Continuous Variation: These are small differences among individuals of the same species and
many intermediate forms are seen. These are produced due to combined effects of many genes and
environmental factors. E.g., Height.

Discontinuous Variation: These are sharp differences among the individual of a species. These
are controlled by one or two major genes which have two or more allelic forms and their
phenotypic expression is unaffected by environmental conditions. e.g., tongue rolling, blood
groups in man.

In asexually reproducing organisms, there is a little possibility of variations. Any apparent

variation between these organisms is the result of environmental influences. Great variety of
variations occur in sexually reproducing organisms. Crossing over and independent assortment
during meiosis and random fusion of gametes in fertilization are important source of genetic
variation in population. These variations are not under the influence of environment. Another
important source of variation among organisms is mutation. These variations are hereditable and
are the raw material for evolution.

THEORIES OF EVOLUTION

There are two main theories of evolution.

1. Lamarck’s Theory of Evolution (Lamarckism)

2. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution (Darwinism)
LAMARCK’S THEORY OF EVOLUTION (LAMARCKISM)

In 1809, a French naturalistean Baptiste Lamarck presented the idea of evolution in his book,
Philosophie Zoologiqe. These ideas about evolution are called as Lamarckism. He studied animal
classification. He believed that species are not constant. Therefore, the existing species were
derived from preexisting species.

There are two important points of Lamarckism.

1. Use and disuse of organs.

2. Inheritance of acquired characters

1. Use and disuse of organs: In organisms, changes in the body features are developed by use
and disuse of body parts due to biological needs arising out of environmental changes.
2. Inheritance of acquired characters: He proposed the theory of Inheritance of acquired
characteristics. Lamarck believed that organisms develop new organs or modify existing organs
due to environmental problems. Thus the organs changes according to need. He used to example
of giraffe. The use of any organ make it highly developed. The disuse of any organ causes
degeneration. Therefore, it can describe the highly specialized structures like vertebrate eyes.

Lamarck was criticized for ideas of evolutionary change at that time. This mechanism lack
reasonable evidences. As change in neck giraffe does not occur in genetic material. So it cannot
be transferred to the next generation.