E portfolio assignment - Essay Example

Biology—E-Portfolio Assignment Brief Reflection on Biology Topics Introduction As I have noprior knowledge about the topics mentioned below, I am giving brief overview of the information, which I gained from lectures and laboratory sessions in my current course study. My reflection on my knowledge about these topics relates to the basics of human and animal evolution.Human EvolutionDarwin’s theory detailed as in the “Origin of Species” is widely accepted by various scientists across the world, when discussing this topic.

However, it is essential to conduct detailed research on different skulls as mammals developed into human beings, over the period. Accordingly, skulls are divided into three categories. The mammals like sheep, pigs, cows and horses have non-primate skulls. Baboon, Gorilla and Chimpanzee belongs to non-human primate skulls. The third category, called hominid skulls details the shape, size and other known parameters of human skulls.(NS 201, p87)BiodiversityThe study of historical components of life within the scope of Biology relates to biodiversity.

In addition, the recent space research results have aroused the interest of many scientists to study the possibility of existence of life, in planets beyond earth, like Mars, Saturn or some moons of Jupiter. Such studies are called “exo-biology”.(NS 201, p34)Vertebrate Anatomy and Homology: Evidence of Evolution in AnimalsMany species of animals and human beings have common characteristics in their structures that show the similarities of their organisms. Accordingly, Homology relates to studies in this direction.

For example, many similarities are found in the structure of human skeleton and that of a chimpanzee. Many animals from a common ancessetor inherit the basic vertebrate “body plan”, although they may have distantly related organisms. Such animals have homologous skeleton structures.(NS 201, p51)Mechanisms of Natural Selection and DriftAccording to Darwin, natural selections are slow and dependant on the environmental changes. Hence, these may not be observable during the lifetime of any scientist.

Accordingly, these mechanisms are studied with the help of simulations, using different methods like directional, stabilizing and disruptive selection models.(NS 201, p70)Work-cited “NS 201: Biology Laboratory Manual”, Boston University, Fall, 2014, web, 15 Dec. 2014: