Biol 1M03 W25: Evolution Framework Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What term did Van Leeuwenhoek use to describe the creatures he observed through his microscope?

Infusoria

Microscopic organisms

Animalcules (correct)

Microspecies

What is the approximate size range of the smallest known cells?

0.5–1 nm

200 nm (correct)

5–100 μm

1–10 μm

Which of the following organisms is identified as the largest individual organism?

Blue whale

Armillaria ostoyae (correct)

Great barrier reef

Sequoia tree

How many Mycoplasma gallisepticum cells can fit side-by-side within one millimeter?

5,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis is not mentioned in relation to the origin of cells?

Cellular evolution Signup and view all the answers

What disease does Mycoplasma gallisepticum cause?

Disease in chickens Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct representation of the size of Armillaria ostoyae compared to McMaster’s campus?

About 9.5 times larger Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'cells' refer to in the context of living organisms?

The smallest units that can live independently Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin and Wallace claim regarding species?

All species are related by common ancestry. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for species changing over time?

Microevolution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines evolution?

Change in the characteristics of a population over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary condition for natural selection to occur?

Individuals must vary in heritable traits. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes falls under nonadaptive evolution?

Mutation Signup and view all the answers

What does macroevolution involve?

Species splitting and diverging. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of adaptive evolution?

Differences in inherited traits leading to better survival. Signup and view all the answers

How did Darwin challenge the belief about species?

By presenting evidence supporting species change. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of spines in organisms such as those found in Lake B?

Defending against predators Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes evolution?

It is a process that explains why species change over time. Signup and view all the answers

In an experiment, why is it important to include control groups?

To identify other factors that might influence the outcome Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of a well-designed experiment?

Controlling experimental conditions Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'null hypothesis' refer to in the context of scientific inquiry?

A statement that there is no effect or no difference Signup and view all the answers

What role do biologists play in the scientific inquiry process?

They formulate hypotheses and seek evidence that may support or refute them. Signup and view all the answers

What is an adaptation in biological terms?

A trait that improves an organism's chance of survival in its environment Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis format is recommended for testing the effects of a factor on an outcome?

X influences Y Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for a trait to become more common in a population over time?

The trait must increase the individual's success in reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fitness' refer to in the context of evolution?

The ability of an individual to produce offspring. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an adaptation?

A heritable trait that increases the fitness of an individual in a specific environment. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of Galápagos finches, what environmental change led to a shift in beak size?

Consistent rainfall resulting in an abundance of small soft seeds. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the relationship between natural selection and evolutionary change?

Natural selection acts on individuals, leading to evolutionary change in populations. Signup and view all the answers

What did researchers observe about finches with small, pointed beaks after a change in seed abundance?

Their numbers increased in the population over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a condition for speciation to occur?

Populations must diverge from each other. Signup and view all the answers

Why is heritability important in the context of natural selection?

It allows traits that increase fitness to be passed to future generations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes what a hypothesis is?

A testable statement that explains an observation Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of a prediction related to a hypothesis?

It may imply a direction of relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly differentiates a hypothesis from a prediction?

A hypothesis is a testable statement, while a prediction indicates observable results. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the concept of spontaneous generation?

Living organisms can emerge from nonliving materials. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental concept does cell theory assert?

All living organisms are made of cells, which arise from existing cells. Signup and view all the answers

What was Louis Pasteur's main hypothesis regarding cells?

Cells arise from cells and not from spontaneous generation. Signup and view all the answers

How might Pasteur's hypothesis, that cells arise from cells, be rephrased as a requirement?

Cells are required for the existence of new cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome would falsify Pasteur’s hypothesis regarding cell formation?

Importantly discovering a nonliving process to create living cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is NOT fundamental to all living organisms?

All organisms can photosynthesize. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two components of the cell theory?

All living organisms are made of cells and cells are the basic unit of life. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the theory of natural selection?

Natural selection requires variation among individuals and differential survival and reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental aspect of life do viruses fail to exhibit?

Cellular structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a necessary condition for natural selection to occur?

There must be variation in traits among individuals. Signup and view all the answers

The component of life that describes how organisms capture and use genetic information from their environment is referred to as:

Processing information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding evolutionary change in populations?

Evolution may happen through mechanisms including natural selection and genetic drift. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a population to evolve?

Changes in genetic traits in a population over time. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course: Biol 1M03 W25
Topic: Biodiversity, Evolution, and Humanity
Dates: Jan 7th, 2024
Content: Evolution, a framework for understanding life
Key areas covered in Week 1: Sections 1.1, 1.3, and 1.4 of "How Life Works"

What it Means to be Alive

Living things share fundamental characteristics
Three key unifying concepts in Biology:
- Life is Cellular (organisms are made of membrane-bound cells)
- Life processes information (all organisms process hereditary information)
- Life evolves (populations of organisms constantly evolve)

Learning Objectives

Name three fundamental characteristics of life.
Describe the two components of cell theory.
Explain the chromosome theory of inheritance.
Briefly explain the theory of natural selection, and its necessary/sufficient conditions.
Describe what biologists do, including their approach to problems and use of experiments.

Theories that Form the Framework for Modern Biology

Cell theory: what are organisms composed of?
Chromosome theory of inheritance: how is hereditary information transmitted to the next generation?
Theory of evolution by natural selection: where do organisms come from?

Life is Cellular

Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek observed cells in the late 1660s
A cell is a highly organized compartment:
- Bounded by a plasma membrane
- Contains concentrated chemicals in an aqueous solution
Size variation:
- Smallest: ~200nm (e.g., Mycoplasma gallisepticum)
- Largest: ~2384 acres (e.g., Armillaria ostoyae)

Where Do Cells Come From?

Two competing hypotheses:
- Spontaneous Generation (prevalent until mid-1800s): organisms arise spontaneously under certain conditions
- Cell Theory: all organisms are made of cells and all cells come from pre-existing cells
Louis Pasteur's hypothesis/experimentation: Cells arise from cells; cells do not arise by spontaneous generation
A hypothesis is a testable statement that explains something observed. A experiment tests the effect of a factor on a phenomenon.

What is a Hypothesis?

A testable statement that explains an observation.
Allows researchers to test the effect of a factor on a phenomenon.
Predictions are measurable or observable results that must be correct if a hypothesis is valid.

Important Distinction Between Hypothesis and Prediction

Hypothesis: X (explanatory/independent variable) affects/impacts Y (response/dependent variable), does NOT imply direction.
Prediction: X (explanatory/independent variable) increases/decreases Y (response/dependent variable), implies direction.

The Chromosome Theory of Inheritance

Proposed by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri in 1902
Hereditary information is encoded in genes.
Genes are located on chromosomes.
DNA is the hereditary material (1950s).
Genes are segments of DNA that code for cell products.

Structure of DNA

Double helix with four building blocks: A, T, C, and G
Sequence of these blocks carries information for growth and reproduction.
A pairs with T; C pairs with G in the double helix structure

The Central Dogma

Genes in DNA code for information necessary to produce proteins.
DNA is transcribed into RNA.
RNA is translated into proteins.

How Does Evolution Occur?

Adaptive (aka Selection): Chapter 20.4
Nonadaptive (genetic drift, gene flow, mutation, non-random mating): Chapter 20.5

Natural Selection

Darwin, along with Wallace, proposed the theory of natural selection
Two main conditions for natural selection to occur:
- Individuals must vary in traits that are heritable
- In a particular environment, versions of heritable traits that help individuals reproduce more than others
Evolution is a change in the characteristics of a population over time

Fitness and Adaptation

Fitness: The ability of an individual to produce offspring, individuals with high fitness produce many surviving offspring
Adaptation: A heritable trait that increases the fitness of an individual in a particular environment, it becomes more common over time

Example of Natural Selection

Finches on Galápagos Islands:
- Variation in beak size and shape
- Consistent rainfall resulted in an abundance of small, soft seeds
- Proportion of finches with small, pointed beaks increased.
Daphnia spp. example: Presence of predators lead development of spines as an adaptation.

Additional Topics

Review: Life emerges from cells, the Central Dogma, and Natural Selection
Doing Biology: Scientific inquiry, hypotheses, experiments and their designs
Activity: Angler fish traits, adaptive traits, hypothesis formulation, experimental design

FAQs

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Description

Test your understanding of the fundamental characteristics of life covered in Biol 1M03, focusing on evolution and its significance in biology. This quiz examines key concepts such as cell theory, inheritance, and natural selection. Engage with the foundational theories that drive modern biological studies.