CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 Revision Notes

Introduction to Evolution:
 The gradual process by which living organisms have developed and diversified
over time from a common ancestor is called evolution.
 The concept of evolution helps explain the biodiversity and complexity of life on
Earth.

Miller-Urey experiment

Theories of Evolution:
a. Lamarck's Theory:

 Proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.

 Suggested the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics.
 According to Lamarck, traits acquired during an organism's lifetime could be
passed on to its offspring.
 Example: The elongated neck of giraffes, acquired by stretching to reach leaves,
would be passed on to future generations.

b. Darwin's Theory:

 Charles Darwin proposed the theory of Natural Selection.

 Natural Selection states that organisms which are able to adapt themselves to
the surrounding environment are supported in their survival.
 It was also described as the "Survival of the fittest."

Evidence of Evolution:
a. Fossil Records:

 Fossils are the remains of living beings that existed in the past and whose
remains can be found in sedimentary rocks.
 These are the evidence of extinct species and transitional forms that link
different groups of organisms.

b. Comparative Anatomy:

 Comparative anatomy involves the study of similarities and differences between

the anatomical or morphological features of different species.
 Homologous structures: similar in structure but may have different functions,
suggesting a common evolutionary origin. Eg: forelimbs of humans and bats.
 Analogous structures: perform similar functions but have different evolutionary
origins. Eg: Wings of birds and butterflies.

c. Embryological Evidence:
 The study of embryo development reveals similarities among different organisms,
suggesting common ancestry.
 Embryos of diverse organisms may display similar stages or structures during
development.

d. Speciation:

 Speciation is the process by which one species splits into two or more distinct
species.
 It can occur through allopatric (also called geographical isolation) or sympatric
(also called reproductive isolation) mechanisms.

Hardy-Weinberg Principle
 According to the NCERT textbook “In a given population one can find out the
frequency of occurrence of alleles of a gene or a locus. This frequency is
supposed to remain fixed and even remain the same through generations.
Hardy-Weinberg's principle stated it using algebraic equations. This principle
says that allele frequencies in a population are stable and is constant from
generation to generation. The gene pool (total genes and their alleles in a
population) remains constant. This is called genetic equilibrium.” The total of all
allele frequencies in a population is 1.

 Hardy-Weinberg equation: p2+2pq+q2=1

Factors to Affect Hardy-Weinberg Principle

 Gene Flow: The transfer of genetic information from one population to another is
called gene flow. It is also called gene migration,
 Genetic Drift: The change in gene frequency of an existing gene variant in the
population due to a sudden change.
 Mutation: Change in the normal sequence of nucleic acid ( DNA and RNA).
 Genetic Recombination: Rearrangement of the sequence of DNA after
breaking and rejoining of chromosomes.
 Natural Selection: Mechanism by which fittest organisms are favoured for their
survival.

Human Evolution:

15 mya Dryopithecus and
Ramapithecus Hairy and walked like gorillas and
chimpanzees.




Ramapithecus was more man-like while

Dryopithecus was more ape-like

2 mya Australopithecines Probably lived in East African grasslands

Homo habilis 650-800cc brain capacity

1.5 mya Homo erectus 900cc brain capacity

1,00,000-40,000 Neanderthal man 1400cc brain capacity

years back

75,000-10,000 Homo sapiens Pre-historic cave art developed about

years ago 18,000 years ago