The document discusses evidence for and criticisms of Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. It presents evidence like the fossil record, homologous structures, and genetic mutations. However, it also argues that some structures like the bacterial flagellum are "irreducibly complex" and could not have evolved step-by-step. The document acknowledges some transitional fossils but asserts that many "missing links" remain undiscovered. Overall, the document explores both sides of the ongoing debate around evolution and its controversies.
2. Contents
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Introduction & Overview
• Manifestations of Darwin Evolution Theory
• The Missing Link in Evolution
• Irreducible Complexity– Bacterial Flagellum
• Alternative Theories
• Conclusion
2
3. Introduction
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Evolution is a phenomenon that affected and
changed species through time
• Through natural selection
• Fitter offspring will live to reproductive maturity
- Pass the ‘survival’ genes
- Proportion of survival genes will increase in population
• Minimizes effect of genetic drift
3
4. Evolutionary History of Life on Earth
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
How did Life came about?
• First cell probably arose from aggregation of
particular inorganic compounds into a self-
replicating feedback system
• Known as abiogenesis
4
6. Fossil Records
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Remains of ancient organisms
- Stromatolites
- Archaeopteryx
• Rough view of sequential change or missing links
- Support speculation of descent with modification
Stromatolites Archaeopteryx 6
7. Homology
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Similarities displayed among organisms of various ancestral
origins
- Homologous anatomical structure
- Universal genetic codes
- Stages & sequence in embryonic development across species
• Common underlying traits
- Vestigial vermiform appendix in humans and apes
- Eye bulbs in blind grotto salamander
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8. Evidences for Darwin’s Theory
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
Similar Feet Structures
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9. Natural Selection
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Long neck of Giraffa
camelopardalis (Giraffe)
- External pressures selected for
neck development
- Feature evolved over time
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10. Genetic Recombination & Mutation
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Mosquito Culex pipiens
- Duplication of gene
- Increase proteins produced
- Enhance metabolic capabilities
- Develop resistance and
immunity to a particular
insecticide
10
12. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Despite long history of archeology, many transitional forms are
still missing
- Even scientists agree
• Examples of transitional forms like the Archaeopteryx was later
discovered to be invalid ones
- Archaeopteryx is not as closely related to modern birds as once
thought
• Because such transition forms have not been found, it means they
never existed
- And evolution must not have occurred
12
13. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Fossilization process:
- Rare
- Bias
• Tissue type: soft / hard tissue
• Habitat: Terrestrial / Aquatic
• Fossilization process will never be an accurate
representation of biodiversity in the past
- Certain species would have been unrepresented:
just because they were not found doesn’t mean they did not exist
13
14. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Archaeopteryx = Ancient
wing/feather
• Size of a raven
• Known for well-developed flight
feathers
• Possess both dinosaur and bird
features 14
15. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• BUT
- Archaeopteryx is still in between dinosaurs and modern birds
Scientists still consider archaeopteryx to be a bird 15
16. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Archaeopteryx = Ancient
wing/feather
• Size of a raven
• Known for well-developed flight
feathers
• Possess both dinosaur and bird
features 16
17. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• BUT
- Even if Archaeopteryx was not a proper transitional
form, many others have been found
17
18. Missing link- still missing
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• E.g. Ichthyornis
Ulna • Fossils found
• Much more closely related
to modern birds
• Has many features similar
to modern birds, but also
Keel primitive features
18
20. Irreducible Complexity
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Some biological systems are too complicated
- Not possible to have evolved from basics
• Absence of a particular component
- System will cease to function
20
21. Irreducible Complexity
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
Holding Bar
Hammer
Platform
Catch
Spring 21
22. Irreducible Complexity
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Irreducibly complex system not in gradual manner
• However, evolution is a step-by-step process
– Could not explain how these complex structures came
about suddenly
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23. Michael Behe’s Darwin’s Black Box
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Living cell is ‘black box’
- Unknown structure and
functions within
- Collection of molecules
- Little complexity
- Basic form of life
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24. Michael Behe’s Darwin’s Black Box
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• In 1950s, black box
uncovered
- More complicated than
believed
- Complexity was unique
- Single system made up of
many components
- Well-arranged to fulfill a
function
24
25. Michael Behe’s Darwin’s Black Box
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
25
26. Michael Behe’s Darwin’s Black Box
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
26
27. Creationist View
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Bacterial flagellum best example
of irreducible complexity
- All proteins must be present for
flagellum to serve primary function:
motility
- Impossible to have been derived from
incomplete precursor
- Hence, must have been created in
complete state with full functionality
by God
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28. 1. Flagellum is NOT irreducibly
Introduction Evidences for
complex Alternative
The Missing Irreducible
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Flagellum can function with same level of efficacy with
only 2/3 of its 297 amino acids
• Even with missing parts, function is intact
• Can survive long enough for evolutionary forces to act
on it
• Example: ‘knock-out’ E. coli bacteria
– Up to half of flagellum genes which code for production of
proteins deactivated on purpose.
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29. 2. All flagella NOT identical
Introduction Evidences for The Missing Irreducible Alternative
Conclusion
& History Darwin’s Link Complexity Theories
• Proteins in the flagella vary across different bacterial
families
- Only 23 out of the 40 proteins found in E. coli bacteria
flagellum are also found in other bacterial flagella
• But if intelligent designer created flagella, all
flagella in the universe would be identical
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Notas del editor
Genetic recombination can also be the basis for evolution. In the Mosquito Culex Pipiens, an accidental duplication of a gene resulted in an increase in gene products, or proteins, produced. The mosquito’s metabolic capabilities are then enhanced and it was able to break down insecticide more efficiently, resulting in a development of resistance to the particular insecticide.
