Evolution
What does the “Theory of Evolution” really say?
Is there really anything to it?
Test your understanding of evolutionary theory with the following
True/False quiz. GOOD LUCK!
Click here to begin:
Question #1
True or False?
The theory of Evolution states that humans evolved from modern-day apes.
(In other words, when you look at an ape in the zoo, you could be looking at a
copy of your many-times-great grandma!)
TRUE
FALSE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Answer: False
Correct page:
CORRECT!
CORRECT!
Sorry!
In simplest terms:
The theory of evolution states that all life on Earth arose from a common
ancestor.
(Please forgive this poor drawing!)
mushroom
\
oak tree
dog
\
You
/
/
|
|
/
/
/
---------
\
\
/
\
/ /
\
/
-- ape
/
/
/
……………….
\ /
|
yeast ……………………………………….. |
||

Common Ancestor
Thus because you & the ape in the zoo share a distant ancestor, the ape is not
your grandma, but in fact, a distant cousin.
However, according to TOE, you and your dog share an even more distant
ancestor, and thus your dog is also your evolutionary cousin, but more distant
than the ape.
In fact, you and your Xmas tree share an even more distant ancestor, and the
yeast cell in your bread or beer a very remote ancestor, making these organisms
cousins as well.
As you see, according to TOE, all organisms on the planet are related.
Question #2
True or False?
The Pope (and Roman Catholic Church) condemns the Theory of
Evolution
TRUE
FALSE
Correct response: Way to go!
Incorrect response: Sorry!
Contrary to all the “Science vs. Religion” hoopla often presented in the media,
the Roman Catholic Church, the most populous of the Christian religions, has
never complained about, protested, or criticized the science of evolution.
In fact, on October 22, 1996, Pope John Paul II, publicly voiced his support for
the theory of evolution.
This may come as a surprise to those of you who believe that this position
contradicts the Genesis texts. If you wish to examine this issue in more detail,
you may click here.
The position of a major world religion is given here to illustrate that there is no
inherent conflict between science and religion. Science attempts to explain the
processes of the natural world, while religion and philosophy wrestle with the
questions of meaning and morality. The Catholic Church was selected to
illustrate this point because the University of Dayton is a Roman Catholic
institution.
SCIENCE  HOW?
WHY? SHOULD?
“How does this process happen?”
“How did these events occur?”
RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY 
“ Why are we here?”
“ Should we take this action?”
Question #3
True or False?
Many scientists doubt that evolution occurred because it is just
a “theory”.
Answer: False
This statement reflects a lack of understanding of the nature of science and the
meaning of the term “theory” as it is used in science.
Please review these concepts by reading this one-page article on-line. You will
be held accountable for the material and definitions presented here.
Summary/Conclusions/Additional Comments:
The theory of evolution states that all life on Earth arose from a common
ancestor. It also assumes that life originated as simple one-celled organisms
and became increasingly more complex and diversified with time.
Science is a means of studying the natural world or physical universe. By
definition, science cannot be used to ascertain the validity of any
philosophical or religious belief. Likewise, only testable, reproducible data –
not religious or philosophical beliefs - are used to evaluate scientific theories.
A scientific hypothesis, which has been tested repeatedly and has been
overwhelmingly supported by experimental evidence, becomes known as a
scientific theory. The scientific community almost universally accepts
theories as true. A theory is the endpoint of scientific investigation. Theories
do not later become scientific “laws”.
Recall that some uncertainty is inherent in scientific inquiry. “There is no
such thing as proof”
Most major religions, including Catholicism, are compatible with the
evolutionary theory. Some religions prefer to view the Genesis texts as literal,
however, this is a religious rather than a scientific position. There is NO
scientific evidence pointing to a seven-day creation of the Earth and its
inhabitants.
Evolution is perhaps the best supported theory in biology. Evidence for
evolution is derived from many scientific fields, including geology,
paleontology, comparative anatomy, ethnology, and biochemistry. Current
scientific debates focus on how (not whether) evolution occurred.
DIRECTIONS:


You will investigate the supporting evidence for the theory of evolution
(TOE) in the rest of the unit. You should be able to discuss several pieces
of supporting evidence for TOE and explain HOW the evidence supports
TOE.
Return to Unit III: Module 1- “Evidence of Evolution” at this time.