AKC 6 T&RS – Autumn Term 2008 – Ethical perspectives from Bioscience
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AKC 6 – 13 NOVEMBER 2008
HOW THE EVOLULTIONARY CONCEPT HAS EVOLVED
PROF ANTHONY GRAHAM, DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
Notes
In this lecture we will consider our current views of evolutionary theory and our understanding of
evolutionary mechanisms. We will also consider our place in the animal kingdom. We will deal
with the following key points:
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
The theory of evolution is central to biology and our understanding of our place in the
animal kingdom

The theory of evolution is supported by the study of fossils

The theory of evolution is supported by comparative analysis of living animals

Our evolutionary history is written in our DNA

In science a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
that incorporates facts, laws and tested hypotheses.

The fossil record reveals profound changes in the kinds of living things that have inhabited
our planet over its long history

The fossil record lays bear the changing nature of the earth

In the past there have been mass extinctions of life on earth

The fossil record gives us insights into how species evolved

A key issue that we need to understand is our position within the animal kingdom

Synapomorphies, shared derived characteristics, can be used to sort animals into natural
groups

All organisms use the same molecular codes to build there proteins

Evolution is descent with modification from a common ancestor

A species is a group of organisms that can breed with each other but not with members of
other such groups

Variation is difference in characteristics of members of the same species

Natural selection refers to greater reproductive success among particular members of a
species
AKC 6 T&RS – Autumn Term 2008 – Ethical perspectives from Bioscience
13/11/08

DNA is the source of change and continuity in evolution

Mutations in the DNA create the variation upon which selection works

Mutations can be beneficial, harmful or neutral

There is no direction in the evolutionary process

Artificial selection is the intentional breeding for selected traits

The English Peppered Moth a classic example of natural selection

Coat colour variation in mammals. There is a strong correlation between coat colour in
rocket pocket mice and rock substrate upon which they live

Variation in the beak shapes of Darwins finches can be explained in part through the
modification of the construction of the beak during development

Changes in genes that organise embryonic development can have profound changes to the
body

Where do we reside in the animal kingdom

We are – animals - bilateral animals – deuterostomes – chordates – vertebrates – jawed
vertebrates – bony fish - lobe finned fish – tetrapods – amniotes – mammals

Our genome sequence further details our relationship to other animals

Our genome sequence reveals deep conservation across the animal kingdom

In terms of our DNA, we differ little from chimps
Full details about the AKC course, including copies of the handouts, can be found on the AKC
website at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/akc. If you have any queries please contact the AKC Course
Administrator (ext 2333 or email at dean@kcl.ac.uk).
The AKC Examination will take place on Friday 27 March 2009 between 14.30 and 16.30.
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE COURSE using the form on the website. You will need to
register for the exam separately, information will be provided next semester.
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