Charles Darwin's Idea: Descent With Modification

Now that we've learned about molecules and cells and the simplest forms of life, we are ready to understand how all of life on earth evolved from a single common ancestor. Given our newfound knowledge about the chromosomal theory of inheritance, combined with the theory of natural selection, which is how evolution propagates, we will see how our understanding of biology transformed in the 19th century, thanks to the work of Charles Darwin, and other contemporaries. There are those who say that evolution is "just a theory", but beyond the fact that this stems from a misunderstanding of what the word "theory" means in science, it also has to do with rampant misconceptions about what this model states. So let's learn the basics regarding evolution by natural selection!

Check out "Is This Wi-Fi Organic?", my book on disarming pseudoscience!

[evanfabri]

All of your material is remarkable, but this particular video is invaluable. Your explanation of abstruse subject matter is profound. Contemplating the extended butterfly effect of your teachings is awe-inspriring. Thank you for your indefatigable informative commitment.

[vaiyt]

One important thing to note is that Linnaeus had already noted the relatedness of all life when he began the science of taxonomy. He, in fact, when grouping humans together with apes, said he was compelled to by evidence and challenged other scholars to find any features that would justify otherwise.

[chessgold]

Best video about the origin of species...

[michellearcilla]

This video is very informative and well made. Thanks!

[edwardwoods]

Would be accurate to conclude that the emergence of life and the non-random and blind process of evolution are simply the laws of physics and chemistry playing out in a particular environment and that any life in other solar systems is likely to be natural selection driven? I know we can't empirically verify this yet but is it a logical deduction?

[NinaFelwitch]

Thanks Dave!
Birds ARE Dinosaurs, though. They belong to the clade Theropoda, like Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor. Only the non-avian dinosaurs died out.

[SpottyTwoshoes]

Excellent presentation. Thank you very much.

[yasyasmarangoz]

Hello, I have a question.
How do we know from what humans or whatever evolved from?
Is it the similarities to the ancestors?

[narayananyvet]

Pls update about cardio vascular system

[eliteteamkiller]

Geologists after watching this video and not being mentioned until halfway: 😢

[vaiyt]

Darwin spent some time at my hometown during the Beagle journey.

[willowwisp]

Evolution also explains fine tuning, of course we’re fine tuned, we evolved to fit into this environment over billions of years. No wonder we can find food only on planet Earth.

[Cowboyjuggernaut]

Professor Dave, you just don't understand. A dog will always produce a dog. Just ask any kennel...LOL! Love your videos!

[thatisaduck]

13:58 manatee mac & cheese situation

[curve_stomped]

15:58 i legit didnt see the other mice tho

[diegorincon]

This really helped me finish my quarantine schoolwork.

[crocopie]

I smell another video coming up on Evolution and Creationism :p.

While some preachers such as Billy Graham and Christian scientists have accepted evolution as science, their efforts for reconciliation may take time to bear fruit as young earth creationism remains widespread and influential among evangelicals. Anyway, I love your material, Prof. You are a great help for me in revisiting Trigonometry and Calculus.

[mayurwahane]

India discarded Evolutionary Biology from textbooks recently.

[diegorincon]

I went to Sunday School(for a couple years), and one of the teachers was a hardcore creationist. She constantly tried to debunk evolution, but most of us students knew about evolution, as did all of our other teachers. I think she believed the earth was the center of the universe...

[leesonstream]

Hey Dave, if brain size is correlated with intelligence, why aren't elephants much smarter than us? Why are we as homo sapiens the smartest species?