StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion" claims that according to the Cambrian explosion there is no fossil evidence that the animal phyla branched off from a common ancestor. This is a serious problem to be dealt with by scientists for having faith in science. And there is a dire need to get the public school students acquainted with all the old as well as new emerging facts of evolution. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.8% of users find it useful
The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion"

Evolution Header - Evol. Science is a search for the truth. Science has various mythical elements which ca not be ignored.Even then it has made our lives safer, healthier and productive. Darwin has made several contributions towards the evolution of species. He believed that all organisms are modified descendants of a common ancestor. But according to the Cambrian explosion there is no fossil evidence that the animal phyla branched off from a common ancestor. This is a serious problem to be dealt by the scientists for having faith in science. And there is a dire need to get the public school students acquainted with all the old as well as new emerging facts of evolution. New York State has already gained the significant results of teaching about evolution presently. 1. How does NY state rank in the teaching of evolution in public schools Compare NY to another state. David Campbell, a teacher in Florida, says that it is for the first time that the Department of Education has modified the standards of teaching evolution in public schools. And calls it, "the organizing principle of life science." But it has been noted that the science teachers all over America are finding it difficult to turn a "culture war into a lesson plan." As per the education experts, even as recently as three years ago, the American public schools have been giving very short shrift to evolution. The poor treatment of evolution can be seen reflected in the creationist beliefs of students. Recently in 2000, Thomas B, Fordham Foundation evaluated the evolution education standards in public schools in all 50 states which was really disappointing. Florida among 12 states receives F grade. But with time it can be seen that now the students have an idea related to evidence of evolutionary change which is an achievement in itself. In 2006 the bills changed and attempted to alter public school science curricula introduced in New York, Alabama, South California, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Indiana and several others. And "only seven states including New York and California got A, with 12 receiving a B, and 8 plus the District of Columbia receiving a C. Seven states got a D, and 15 got an F. Iowa was not included in the report because it does not set standards for any subject." So, New York undoubtedly ranks high on the grounds of teaching of evolution in public schools. Campbell lastly concludes that, "if he forced them look at themselves in the evolutionary mirror, he risked alienating then entirely." 2. What is the difference between science & belief Theory & story David Campbell remarks that in a nation with evangelical Protestantism and various other religious traditions that stress on biblical readings and believe in God as supreme creator of every species, it is obvious that students will fear evolution and even science. They might consider science as a belief which is hostile to their faith. The subject of evolutionary science is considered fraught by the students who are taught right from their tender years to believe that God has created man uniquely in His own form. And when Florida's science standards came out Campbell saw that the students studied science in disbelief. He also mentioned that "Faith is not based in science" and "science is not based on faith". He also stated that he doesn't expect that the students should believe the scientific explanation of evolution but to start forming a base he concluded that he expects then "to understand it". The basic confusion of the word "science" being related to "theory" and "belief" arises from the everyday changing meaning of the word and their usage in science. One of the misconceptions is that, "Theories become facts when they are well supported and/or proven." It is so because with time if any contradictory evidence turns up, the theory might be reevaluated or even abandoned. And then it is not science but only a story which is not believed any more. ................. supported and/or proven." National Center for Science Education. Theory and Fact. October 17, 2008. Q: Darwin's tree of life. Why don't textbooks discuss the "Cambrian explosion," in which all major animal groups appear together in the fossil record fully formed, instead of branching from a common ancestor - thus contradicting the evolutionary tree of life Darwin proved that the evolutionary tree of life was reconstructed from a large and growing body of fossil and molecular evidence. He called his theory "decent with modification." It clearly portrays the fact that every organism is a modified descendant. The minor differences would appear in the beginning and then these differences would eventually and gradually increase till the specific species became so different to be classes as separate genres. Though in fossil records, most of the major animal phyla or division appeared fully formed right at the beginning of the geological period known as Cambrian, having no fossil evidence that they are branched from a common ancestor. Even Darwin was fully aware of this and he himself called it a "serious" problem which "at present must remain inexplicable; and many urged as a valid argument against the views here entertained." ..... the views here entertained." Darwin. Charles. Origin of Species, Sixth Edition. New York: D. Chapter X. Appleton, 1890. Studying the evidences of 1991, James Valentine, a Berkley paleontologist found that, "it has not proven possible to trace transitions" between phyla, and the evidence points to a Cambrian "explosion" that "was even more abrupt and extensive than previously envisioned." Darwin's theory of "tree of life" predicts that animal evolution proceeds from the "bottom up" but there is a large difference in what James Valentine and his colleagues say. As they write that the pattern of the Cambrian explosion "creates the impression that metazoan evolution has by and large proceeded from the 'top down'." ............. than previously envisioned." James W. Valentine et al. "The Biological Explosion at the Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary". Evolution Biology 25 (1991). Pg: 279-356. Also an evolutionary biologist Jeffery Levinton is convinced with the idea that the common ancestry of animals, acknowledged in 1992 that the Cambrian explosion - "life's big bang", as he called it - remains "evolutionary biology's deepest paradox". ................. biology's deepest paradox". Levinton .Jeffery. "The Big Bang if Animal Evolution". Scientific American 267. November, 1992. Pg: 84-91. So, it can be said that Cambrian explosion is real as for some biologists it is paradoxical and mysterious when seen in the light of Darwin's theory. And a few consider it as solid evidence against Darwin's hypothesis that all animals were evolved from a single common ancestor. Where as some also defend Darwin by arguing that it is perfectly consistent with it. And having so many evidences of Cambrian explosion the students must be taught this aspect of evolution too. Sources: 1. NY Times. A Teacher on the Front Line as faith and Science clash. Harman. Amy. August 23, 2008. < http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/education/24evolution.htmlpagewanted=1> 2. Janofsky. Michael. Report Says States Aim Low in Science Classes. December 8, 2005. November 5, 2008. 3. Wells. Jonathan. Introduction to Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth Washington DC: Regnery, 2000. November 5, 2008. < http://www.iconsofevolution.org/intro/> 4. Darwin. Charles. Origin of Species, Sixth Edition. New York: D. Chapter X. Appleton, 1890. 5. Discover Institute.The Scientific Controversy Over the Cambrian Explosion. . November 5, 2008. 6. James W. Valentine et al. "The Biological Explosion at the Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary". Evolution Biology 25 (1991). 7. Levinton .Jeffery. "The Big Bang if Animal Evolution". Scientific American 267. November, 1992. 8. National Center for Science Education. Theory and Fact. October 17, 2008. November 5, 2008. http://ncseweb.org/evolution/education/theory-fact Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words, n.d.)
The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words. https://studentshare.org/science/1506394-cambrian-explosion
(The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words)
The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words. https://studentshare.org/science/1506394-cambrian-explosion.
“The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words”. https://studentshare.org/science/1506394-cambrian-explosion.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Meaning Of The Cambrian Explosion

Asian American History

An author of the essay "Asian American History" reports that the paper explores about Southeast Asian migration to the US in the wake o the Southeast Asian crisis and their subsequent experiences in the alien land and how they coped up in a given situation.... hellip; People move from their home places to a country where better employment opportunities are available and survival is comparatively easy....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Paper converters Ltd

Paper Converters Ltd.... Table of contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 3 Purpose of the report 3 Background of company 3 Aim of this report 4 Format of Paper Converters.... Ltd Introduction 5 Organizational culture in Dyson Ltd 5 Role Culture 5 Alan Dyson 6 Organizational culture for Jones Ltd 6 Task Culture 6 Barry Jones 7 Paper Converters Ltd – The merger 7 Define Joint Ventures 7 Reasons for Joint Venture 7 Why did they form Paper Converters Ltd ( Advantages) 8 Main issues with Paper Converters Joint venture 9 Culture clashes 9 Lack of training 9 Communication 9 International Joint Venture—UK & Zambia Introduction 10 Zambia—Background 10 International Joint Venture Definition 11 Advan… tage and disadvantage of JIV 11 Mention the Joint venture between Paper Converters & Zambia company 12 Hofstede's frameworks to different between UK and Zambia culture Power distance 13 Uncertainly 13 Compare UK & Zambia 13 Recommendation / Strategy for solving the problems Training 14 Motivation 14 Conclusion 15 References / Bibliography 16 Executive Summary In order to understand the chances for success of businesses in the international market it is necessary to examine carefully the conditions in the internal and external organizational environment....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism

These rules are meant to protect people and cannot be taken away by any means.... They teach us how to behave and live accordingly.... In this paper the… The condition in this region is quite positive when it comes to human rights and values.... Like every country there are many areas of concern but the overall record of Zambia is respectable Not only the government but the non-governmental organizations are playing a prominent role in this context....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Cambodian genocide: Critically assess the international communitys response to the Cambodian Genocide

The article 2 of the Genocide Convention proscribes the killing of members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group with the intention to annihilate that particular group in whole or in part.... The acts that were carried out in Cambodia clearly demonstrated an intention of… using mass killings to get rid of the minorities in the country, religious groups and the people that were considered to be the intellectuals in the society....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Walmart. Final project

The process involves the analysis of an organization strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of using certain construction material and technologies.... This paper seeks to provide a SWOT and PEST… The paper will also examine the current strategic issues facing Wal-Mart and their construction solutions....
5 Pages (1250 words) Lab Report

Effects of Underdevelopment on Education Provision in Zambia

Zambia, with a population of just over 11 million people, has been undergoing the process of democracy and economic liberalization since the early 90s, similar to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.... However, as noted by Sardanis (2014: p19), political and economic reform have… Indeed, most of the country no longer believes that more democratic and open political and economic systems are critical to improving their lives....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

Is Evolution True

The paper “Is Evolution true?... ?? explains how new species split off from old existing lineages, the common features and differences of different species.... New species are thought to have originated from a common branch and ultimately from one original ancestor.... hellip; The writer states that life on earth has evolved gradually and it began with only one primitive species as a self-replicating molecule that existed 3....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Cambrian Explosion Theory Explanation

The major cause of the cambrian exposition is believed to be a rapid increase in the oxygen level in the atmosphere.... Cambrian exposition refers to the geological sudden emergence of multi-cellular living organisms in the fossil records in the cambrian period.... During the cambrian exposition,… Phyla are composed of the highest biological categories in the kingdom of animals.... the cambrian exposition occurred during the cambrian period that began 570 million years ago and ended 510 million years....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us