Big History Study Guide PDF

BIG HISTORY STUDY GUIDE What are the 8 thresholds? Big Bang: -​ The universe exploded into being 13.8 billion years ago in a split second. The Stars Light Up: -​ Simplest atoms, hydrogen and helium, first formed and then collapsed under great heat and pressure creating the fi...

BIG HISTORY STUDY GUIDE What are the 8 thresholds? Big Bang: -​ The universe exploded into being 13.8 billion years ago in a split second. The Stars Light Up: -​ Simplest atoms, hydrogen and helium, first formed and then collapsed under great heat and pressure creating the first stars New Chemical Elements: -​ Death of the first gen of stars created even more pressure and heat leading to the development of new chemical elements Earth and the Solar System: -​ The earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago -​ sun was formed from the collapse of cloud and dust particles -​ The planets were formed from the collision of dead matter Life: -​ 3 billion years ago first life -​ unicellular microscopic organism -​ through evolution we now have sea life, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals Collective learning: -​ Early humans were the first to create a language able to communicate across generations Agriculture: -​ 12,000 years ago humans began farming Modern revolution: -​ The past 300 years of history has been characterized by the evolution of technology What is a threshold? -​ Ingredients ( moments in history) + Goldilocks conditions (just right conditions) = New thresholds of history What is an origin story?  -​ Cultural or religious explanation for the birth of your world and the origins of life. Who are the originators and how humans were formed? Chinese: Pan Gu- Humans formed from his remains Greek: Gaia- Prometheus and Athena formed humans Iroquois: Great Turtle- Humans were from the dirt of the earth Judeo/Christian: God-God Mayan: Plumed serpent- Corn and Maize (third try) Zulu: Unveliquangi-Unkulunkulu Etai: Abbassi- Abbassi Modern Scientific: Big Bang - Evolution Emergence of life -​ Evolution Darwin What is Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection? From the article: "Small changes occur when creatures reproduce. Some creatures are helped by these changes. The creatures that benefit are more likely to reproduce and pass on those characteristics to their offsprings. Over time, these changes can result in new species." What evidence did Darwin use to develop this theory? -​ Darwin studied finches on the Galapagos Islands and documented how finch beaks adapted to help them best survive by evolving in size and shape to better eat the seeds of each island. What did people of Darwin's time think of his ideas? Why did they feel that way? -​ Darwin was shunned and lampooned in his time for his theory of natural selection and concept of evolution due to the prevailing understanding that God created the earth, humans, and all living things. People were also very incredulous that humans and primates could share a common ancestor as the Judeo-Christian origin story explains that God created man in his image (not that man evolved). Today, Darwin is seen as a major contributor to evolutionary biology and scientific development as a whole. His ideas are respected and foundational for later discoveries related to genetics and genomics. Is Evolution Evolving? The author of "Is Evolution Evolving" presents several examples of rapid evolution - What does that mean and how does it explain what happened to salamanders and moths? -​ Rapid evolution refers to the Idea that animals evolve to better cope with their environment. In the case of salamanders, over several generations, they learned to better adapt to their harsh conditions of toxic runoff. In the case of moths, over several generations, they became darker in color to better camouflage themselves and protect themselves from predators. Given these creatures relatively short lives and mass reproduction, perhaps rapid evolutionary changes are  more visible to us (in contrast to humans who live long lives and reproduce very little in comparison) -​ -​ Has "human culture, medicine, and technology" allowed human populations to "sidestep" natural selection? Opinion question - anything is fine as long as they back up their claim with evidence. -​ Are environmental toxins the only threat of rapid evolution? Climate change leading to warmer temperatures, glaciers melting, sea level rise, coastal flooding, increasing cO2 emissions, other types pollution, etc could all potential contribute to rapid evolution in the future. In the soot, the moths turn dark,​ To blend in shadows, they leave their mark.​ The trees once light, now darkened black,​ So darker wings keep predators back. Salamanders in toxic streams,​ Adapt to survive in poison dreams.​ From runoff harsh, they find their way,​ Evolving quick to live another day.