Evolution: The source of life’s diversity
This course looks at the 3 theories of evolution; convergent, divergent and parallel, with focus on Darwinism and the theory of natural selection.
Banner
$1.00
Your banner contains a hero image with text overlay. You can also add call to action buttons.
or
Course curriculum
The origin of evolutionary thinking
The origin of evolutionary thinking
Objectives and agenda
Pre-evolutionary thinking
Systema Naturae
Problems for pre-evolutionary thought: 1. Deep time
Problems for pre-evolutionary thought: 2. Extinction
Early evolutionary thinking
Test your understanding
Darwin’s breakthrough
Darwin’s breakthrough
Objectives and agenda
Charles Darwin's life
Darwin’s breakthrough
Natural selection
Survival of the fittest
Darwin’s triumph
Problems for Darwinism
Early genetics
The Modern Synthesis
Evolution is 'just' a theory
Test your understanding
Evolution in action
Evolution in action
Objectives and agenda
How does evolution change a species at the genetic level?
Where do new species originate?
When do new species originate?
Myth: If we evolved from monkeys why are there still monkeys?
How fast do evolutionary changes occur?
Convergent evolution
Is evolution limitlessly creative?
Microevolution and Macroevolution
Exaptations
Share your thoughts
Myth: Half a wing is useless
Test your understanding
The story of life on Earth
The story of life on Earth
Objectives and agenda
The tree of life
Building the tree
A brief history of the evolution of life on Earth
Myth: Evolution always leads to ever-greater complexity
Test your understanding
The evolution of evolutionary theory
The evolution of evolutionary theory
Objectives and agenda
The modern synthesis again
Modern molecular biology
Myth: There are genes “for” traits like breast cancer or intelligence
Beyond natural selection
Sexual selection
Myth: Organisms are perfectly adapted to their environment
Coevolution
Genetic drift
A closer look at genetic drift
Myth: Everything is an adaptation produced by natural selection
Kin selection
Tinbergen’s 4 whys
The extended synthesis
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance
Plasticity
Niche construction
Cultural evolution
Controversial ideas
Share your thoughts
Test your understanding
Rewriting the story of life
Rewriting the story of life
Objectives and agenda
The tangled tree of life
What is a species?
Share your thoughts
Test your understanding
Conclusion
Conclusion
Big evolution quiz
Speaker profiles
More to explore
Course glossary
Course feedback