Questions and Answers
What is evolution?
The process which things change over time.
What is biological evolution?
Modern organisms evolved over long periods of time through descent from common ancestors.
Where was Darwin's journey to, and what was he sailing on?
The HMS Beagle's five-year voyage to South America.
What three patterns of biodiversity did Darwin note on his voyage?
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What did Darwin note about the varying of species globally?
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What did Darwin note about the varying of species locally?
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What did Darwin find to help prove that species vary over time, and what did that prove specifically?
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In what two ways did an understanding of geology help influence Darwin?
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How did Hutton contribute to Darwin's theory of evolution?
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How did Lyell contribute to Darwin's theory of evolution?
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How did Lamarck contribute to Darwin's theory of evolution?
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How did Lamarck propose species changed over time?
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How did Lamarck pave the way for later biologists?
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Which of Lamarck's ideas were true, and which were false?
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What caused Thomas Malthus to form his theory about population growth?
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Which of the following is an idea attributed to Malthus?
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What did Malthus conclude?
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How do humans affect artificial selection? What role does nature play?
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What is another name for artificial selection?
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What is struggle for existence?
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What is adaptation?
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What is fitness and how does it relate to an organism's chance of survival and reproduction?
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What does natural selection act on?
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What is an inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival considered?
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What does natural selection depend on?
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Where did organisms all descend from?
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What does common descent suggest?
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What is descent with modification?
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What does the fossil record provide?
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What is biogeography?
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How does geographic distribution of species today relate to their evolutionary history?
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What is a homologous protein found in almost all living cells?
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What is similar in all organisms' genetic code?
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What are HOX genes?
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What happens when there are minor changes in an organism's genome?
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Why are organisms who are closely related found in different habitats?
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Why are organisms who are distantly related found in similar habitats?
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What did the Grants document show?
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What are vestigial structures?
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What are some traits about the rheas, ostrich, and emu that demonstrate convergent evolution?
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What are some of the differences between the large tortoises of Isabella and Hood Islands?
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What was the major contributing factor that led to changes in beak shape for the Galapagos finches?
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Study Notes
Evolution Overview
- Evolution refers to the gradual change of organisms over time.
- Biological evolution occurs through descent from common ancestors.
Darwin's Voyage
- Charles Darwin embarked on a five-year journey aboard the HMS Beagle, primarily to South America.
- He noted three main patterns of biodiversity: species vary globally, species vary locally, and species vary over time.
Biodiversity Observations
- Globally, distinct but ecologically similar species inhabit separate yet comparable habitats.
- Locally, related species often occupy different habitats within the same geographic area.
- Fossils demonstrated that extinct species show similarities to existing organisms, supporting the theory of change over time.
Influence of Geology
- Hutton established that the Earth is ancient, allowing sufficient time for evolutionary changes.
- Lyell introduced uniformitarianism, suggesting that current geological processes are the same that shaped the Earth, implying life also changes over time.
Contributions of Early Theorists
- Lamarck proposed that species evolve through natural processes and adapt to their environment, emphasizing the non-fixed nature of species.
- He erroneously claimed that acquired traits can be inherited and that organisms have an inherent drive towards perfection.
Malthus's Influence
- Malthus theorized that human population grows unchecked, leading to competition for limited resources.
- Darwin inferred from Malthus that more organisms are born than can survive, setting the stage for natural selection.
Natural Selection and Adaptation
- Natural selection relies on inherited traits; advantageous traits lead to better survival and reproduction rates.
- Adaptation describes an organism's ability to thrive in its environment.
- High fitness signifies a greater chance of survival and reproduction.
Common Descent and Modification
- All current organisms descend from ancestors that successfully reproduced.
- Common descent suggests all species, both living and extinct, share a related lineage.
- Descent with modification indicates species evolve with changes over time.
Genetic Evidence
- Fossil records provide concrete evidence of modification across vast periods.
- Biogeography studies the distribution of species and their ancestors, revealing evolutionary history.
- Homologous proteins, like cytochrome c, and universal genetic codes (DNA and RNA) support the concept of common ancestry.
Evolutionary Genetics
- HOX genes play a crucial role in determining body plans during embryonic development.
- Minor genomic changes can lead to significant structural transformations in organisms.
Adaptive Radiation
- Species in similar habitats may exhibit analogous adaptations due to similar environmental pressures despite being distantly related.
- Closely related species might differ significantly due to natural selection acting in diverse habitats.
Observations from Finch Studies
- Research by the Grants demonstrated rapid shifts in finch populations, impacted by competition and environmental variability.
- Increased variation within a species fosters adaptability during environmental changes.
Vestigial Structures and Convergent Evolution
- Vestigial structures arise from ancestors but have lost most original functions.
- The rheas, ostrich, and emu exhibit convergent evolution with traits like long necks and strong legs for escaping predators.
Case studies of Adaptation
- Differences between Isabella and Hood Island tortoises highlight adaptive traits related to food source availability.
- Beak shape variations in Galapagos finches correlate with the types of food prevalent on different islands, showcasing evolutionary responses to environmental factors.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of evolution, including Darwin's observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. This quiz covers the patterns of biodiversity and the geological influences that shape evolutionary processes over time.