Facts

• Fact-it happened or it is true, it can’t be disputed

Examples:

• Today is Friday.

• The Giants won the Superbowl.

• A square has 4 sides

Scientific Theory

A scientific theory:

• is an explanation or model • is a former hypothesis that has been tested with repeated

experiments and observations• Must be falsifiable• can be disproved or changed based on new supportive

evidence from experiments/observations (often obtained by new technologies)

• is generally accepted by most scientists until new scientifically derived evidence disproves it.

• The word “theory” is often misused in everyday conversation. A person cannot dismiss a scientific theory by saying “It’s just a theory”.

Some Scientific Theories

• Newton’s Theory of Gravitation

• Mendel’s Theory of Inheritance

• Einstein’s Theory of Relativity

• Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Theory of Evolution

• The gradual change in a species over time.

Why study evolution?

Remember biology is the study of life (living things).

Evolution is the process of how life (living things) has changed over time.

Scientists can better understand why organisms have certain structures, chemistry, systems and why they have changed.

Why do we have to learn this?

• If you want to intelligently argue and persuade people to your point of view (what ever that point is), you must have a good understanding of the concepts.

• Of what use is ignorance?

• Overcome misconceptions

Evidence for Theory of Evolution

1. Fossils (change in species)

2. Geology (time)

3. Comparative anatomy (structures)

4. DNA