Analogy/Homology Blog Post

Analogy/Homology Blog Post

Humans and monkeys have similar homologous traits. A monkey's tail and the human tail bone, or coccyx, are examples of homologous structures. Humans and monkeys developed from a common ancestor that had a tail, but while monkeys kept the structure as they evolved, humans did not. The Chimpanzee is a common ancestor to both the human and the monkey.  Chimpanzees do not have tails. They are not like other primates such as the Monkey species; they are more like the Ape, and the Gorilla, which doesn't have a tail.

                                                                        

 Dolphins are mammals and sharks are related more heavily to fish, but the two share several structures with shared functions between the two species. Dolphin and shark dorsal fins and body shape are some analogous traits that are shared between both species. Even though they look very similar I was not able to find any common ancestors and believed it happened thru convergent evolution.

Jean- Baptiste Lamark had the most influence on Darwin’s development of his theory of Natural Selection.

Jean-Baptiste Lanmark suggested

·         dynamic relationship between species and the environment such that the external environment changed.

·         animals activities patterns would change to accommodate new circumstances; physical change would respond to bodily needs and structure would be modified. Alterations would make the animal better suited to its habitat.

·         New traits would be passed on to its offspring. (Proven wrong later).

·         http://evolution.about.com/od/Pre-Darwin/ss/8-People-Who-Influenced-Charles-Darwin.htm#step2states. Article states Lamarck was one of the first to propose humans evolved from a lower species through adaptation over time.  I feel that without Jean-Batiste Lamark, Darwin would not be able to develop his theory of natural selection. I feel that Darwin embraced most of his ideas and developed his own theories after analyzing Lamark. I strongly feel that Darwin’s development of natural selection strongly resembles Lamark. Even though some of Lamark’s ideas were proven incorrect later on, his initial suggestions were taken.