Biology Chapter 15 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

The development of new types of organisms from preexisting types of organisms over time is called _____.

evolution

What do modern scientists define evolution as?

a heritable change in the characteristics within a population from one generation to the next

In the 18th century Europe, most scientists thought that all species were and _.

permanent and unchanging

How old did most scientists of the 18th century think the earth was?

thousands Signup and view all the answers

By the 1800's, scientists in Europe had begun to study ______.

rock layers Signup and view all the answers

What did scientists in the 1800's infer from studying the strata?

lower strata were formed first and are thus the oldest Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two scientists with theories of evolution?

Lamarck and Darwin Signup and view all the answers

What was the first theory of evolution?

that acquired traits can be passed on to offspring Signup and view all the answers

What did Lamarck believe about the first theory of evolution?

that a giraffe's neck grew long from reaching for leaves on trees Signup and view all the answers

An ____ is a trait that is not determined by genes; it arises during an organism's lifetime as a result of experience or behavior.

acquired trait Signup and view all the answers

Lamarck's theory of acquired traits was easily _____.

disproved Signup and view all the answers

Lamarck was the first to clearly state what?

that organisms change over time and new organisms are descendants of older types Signup and view all the answers

As a young man, Charles Darwin was disinterested in __ and _.

religious studies Signup and view all the answers

What ship did Darwin sail on and why?

the Beagle and as the ship's naturalist Signup and view all the answers

Darwin collected _ and kept careful records of _.

specimens and his observations Signup and view all the answers

______ is considered to be the founder of modern evolutionary theory.

Charles Darwin Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin do during his 5-year voyage?

he formulated his hypothesis on the evolution of species Signup and view all the answers

Darwin spent time on the _____.

Galapagos Islands Signup and view all the answers

Geologically, the islands are young and are unique in the vast amount of ____ (or native) animal species.

endemic Signup and view all the answers

What species did Darwin discover only on the Galapagos islands?

giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, and finches Signup and view all the answers

Darwin collected 13 different finches and each finch had a distinctive specialized for _.

bill, its food source Signup and view all the answers

The similarities of the finches' bills implied what?

that the finches evolved from a recent common ancestor Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of the Galapagos being geologically young islands?

Darwin assumed that the finches adapted to different environments in a relatively short time Signup and view all the answers

What was Darwin's conclusion after studying on the Galapagos Islands?

Darwin reasoned that over millions of years, many large differences could evolve between species Signup and view all the answers

It wasn't until a young naturalist, Alfred Wallace, approached him in 1858 that he finally published his own work on evolution by natural selection: ______.

The Origin of the Species Signup and view all the answers

Descent with modification states that the newer forms appearing in the fossil record are actually the modified descendants of older species.

true Signup and view all the answers

Because of descent with modification, Darwin inferred what?

that all species had descended from one or a few original types of life Signup and view all the answers

Similar organisms arise in the same ______.

geographic location Signup and view all the answers

Modification by natural selection is a process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

true Signup and view all the answers

______ refers to organisms that survive because of the adaptations they inherit.

Survival of the fittest Signup and view all the answers

What were the assumptions of survival of the fittest?

<ol> <li>All organisms produce more offspring than can possibly survive. 2. Every organism faces a constant struggle to survive. 3. Individuals of a given species vary. 4. The individuals that are best adapted to the environment survive. 5. The organisms that survive pass their traits on to offspring.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

A _____ is any evidence of an organism that lived long ago.

fossil Signup and view all the answers

How are fossils classified?

according to the way they are formed Signup and view all the answers

_____ are traces of once living organisms.

fossils Signup and view all the answers

Where are fossils mostly found?

sedimentary rock Signup and view all the answers

The Principle of Superposition states that if the rock strata at a location have not been disturbed, the lowest stratum was formed before the strata above it.

true Signup and view all the answers

Successive strata are _____.

newer and the most recent is on the top Signup and view all the answers

_____ is determined by their position in sedimentary rock.

Relative age Signup and view all the answers

In undisturbed rocks, the bottom layers are the and the top layers are the _.

oldest and youngest Signup and view all the answers

How can geologists often tell a fossil's relative age?

by referring to the geologic time scale and to records of known fossils Signup and view all the answers

For certain rocks, scientists can estimate the time since formation, or the absolute age of the rock, by techniques such as _____.

radiometric dating Signup and view all the answers

How do you determine the age of a fossil?

radiometric dating, half-life Signup and view all the answers

_____ uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a fossil.

radiometric dating Signup and view all the answers

____ describes how long it takes for one-half of the radioactive isotope to decay.

half-life Signup and view all the answers

____ is the study of the locations of organisms around the world.

biogeography Signup and view all the answers

On his voyage, Darwin noticed what?

locations of similar organisms around the world Signup and view all the answers

_____ is changes in the structure of body parts.

structural adaptations Signup and view all the answers

___ is a slow process.

structural adaptations Signup and view all the answers

______ are changes in an organism's metabolic process.

Physiological adaptations Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of physiological adaptation?

Pest and weed after being exposed to pesticides develop a physiological resistance to the chemicals Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence of evolution?

<ol> <li>Fossils can show evolutionary changes over time. 2. Homologous structures 3. Vestigial structures 4. Embryological Development 5. Genetic comparisons may reveal hidden relationships 6. Comparisons of DNA have shown that human and chimpanzee DNA is nearly 99 % identical</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

_____ are those believed to have the same origin and same components, but different functions.

homologous structures Signup and view all the answers

______ are any body structure that is reduced in function in a living organism but may have been used by an ancestor.

vestigial structures Signup and view all the answers

_______ are similarities among vertebrate embryos suggest evolution from a common ancestor.

embryological development Signup and view all the answers

_____ is the evolutionary history of a species or taxonomic group; the relationship by ancestry among species or taxonomic groups.

phylogeny Signup and view all the answers

What happens in co-evolution?

two or more closely associated species change in response to each other Signup and view all the answers

What happens in convergent evolution?

organisms that are not closely related resemble each other because they have responded to similar environments Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of convergent evolution?

sharks and dolphins Signup and view all the answers

What happens in divergent evolution?

related populations become less similar as they respond to different environments Signup and view all the answers

____ occurs when a new population in a new environment will undergo divergent evolution until the population fills many parts of the environment.

adaptive radiation Signup and view all the answers

______ is a technique in which a breeder selects particular traits.

artificial selection Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolution Overview

Evolution refers to the development of new organisms from preexisting types over time.
It is defined as a heritable change in characteristics within a population across generations.

Historical Perspectives

In the 18th century, prevailing views on species were that they were permanent and unchanging.
Many scientists believed the Earth was only thousands of years old.
The study of rock layers (strata) began in the 1800s, revealing that lower strata were older.

Key Figures in Evolution

Lamarck and Darwin were pivotal figures with distinct theories on evolution.
Lamarck proposed that acquired traits could be inherited, exemplified by the notion of giraffes stretching their necks.
Darwin is recognized as the founder of modern evolutionary theory, especially known for his work during his voyage on the Beagle and his observations in the Galapagos Islands.

Darwin's Discoveries

Darwin collected specimens and documented the unique wildlife of the Galapagos, including giant tortoises and various finch species.
He observed that finches developed specialized bills suited for their food sources, indicating a common ancestor and adaptation to different environments.
His conclusion was that significant differences between species could evolve over millions of years.

Main Concepts of Natural Selection

"Descent with modification" suggests newer species are modified descendants of older ones.
All species are inferred to have descended from a few original life types.
Natural selection leads to "survival of the fittest," where organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce, influenced by various assumptions about reproduction and adaptability.

Fossil Record and Dating Techniques

Fossils serve as evidence of past organisms and are primarily found in sedimentary rock.
The Principle of Superposition states that in undisturbed rock layers, older layers are beneath younger ones.
Relative age of fossils can often be determined through the geologic time scale, while absolute age can be gauged using radiometric dating and half-life analysis.

Evidence for Evolution

Evidence includes fossils, homologous structures, vestigial structures, embryological development, and genetic comparisons.
Homologous structures indicate a shared evolutionary origin despite differing functions.
Vestigial structures are remnants from ancestors, reduced in function for current organisms.

Evolutionary Processes

Co-evolution involves closely associated species responding to each other.
Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similarities due to similar environmental pressures, like sharks and dolphins.
Divergent evolution leads related populations to become less similar as they adapt to different environments.
Adaptive radiation describes how new populations adapt divergently in varied environments.

Selection Techniques

Artificial selection is a method where breeders favor certain traits in organisms, leading to specific outcomes in the population.

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Test your knowledge on evolution with these flashcards from Biology Chapter 15. Explore key definitions and concepts that explain how new types of organisms develop over time. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of evolutionary biology.

Biology Chapter 15 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

The development of new types of organisms from preexisting types of organisms over time is called _____.

What do modern scientists define evolution as?

In the 18th century Europe, most scientists thought that all species were ______ and _______.

How old did most scientists of the 18th century think the earth was?

By the 1800's, scientists in Europe had begun to study ______.

What did scientists in the 1800's infer from studying the strata?

Who were the two scientists with theories of evolution?

What was the first theory of evolution?

What did Lamarck believe about the first theory of evolution?

An ____ is a trait that is not determined by genes; it arises during an organism's lifetime as a result of experience or behavior.

Lamarck's theory of acquired traits was easily _____.

Lamarck was the first to clearly state what?

As a young man, Charles Darwin was disinterested in ______ and _____.

What ship did Darwin sail on and why?

Darwin collected _____ and kept careful records of _____.

______ is considered to be the founder of modern evolutionary theory.

What did Darwin do during his 5-year voyage?

Darwin spent time on the _____.

Geologically, the islands are young and are unique in the vast amount of ____ (or native) animal species.

What species did Darwin discover only on the Galapagos islands?

Darwin collected 13 different finches and each finch had a distinctive ____ specialized for _____.

The similarities of the finches' bills implied what?

What is a result of the Galapagos being geologically young islands?

What was Darwin's conclusion after studying on the Galapagos Islands?

It wasn't until a young naturalist, Alfred Wallace, approached him in 1858 that he finally published his own work on evolution by natural selection: ______.

Descent with modification states that the newer forms appearing in the fossil record are actually the modified descendants of older species.

Because of descent with modification, Darwin inferred what?

Similar organisms arise in the same ______.

Modification by natural selection is a process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

______ refers to organisms that survive because of the adaptations they inherit.

What were the assumptions of survival of the fittest?

A _____ is any evidence of an organism that lived long ago.

How are fossils classified?

_____ are traces of once living organisms.

Where are fossils mostly found?

The Principle of Superposition states that if the rock strata at a location have not been disturbed, the lowest stratum was formed before the strata above it.

Successive strata are _____.

_____ is determined by their position in sedimentary rock.

In undisturbed rocks, the bottom layers are the ____ and the top layers are the _____.

How can geologists often tell a fossil's relative age?

For certain rocks, scientists can estimate the time since formation, or the absolute age of the rock, by techniques such as _____.

How do you determine the age of a fossil?

_____ uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a fossil.

____ describes how long it takes for one-half of the radioactive isotope to decay.

____ is the study of the locations of organisms around the world.

On his voyage, Darwin noticed what?

_____ is changes in the structure of body parts.

___ is a slow process.

______ are changes in an organism's metabolic process.

What is an example of physiological adaptation?

What is the evidence of evolution?

_____ are those believed to have the same origin and same components, but different functions.

______ are any body structure that is reduced in function in a living organism but may have been used by an ancestor.

_______ are similarities among vertebrate embryos suggest evolution from a common ancestor.

_____ is the evolutionary history of a species or taxonomic group; the relationship by ancestry among species or taxonomic groups.

What happens in co-evolution?

What happens in convergent evolution?

What is an example of convergent evolution?

What happens in divergent evolution?

____ occurs when a new population in a new environment will undergo divergent evolution until the population fills many parts of the environment.

______ is a technique in which a breeder selects particular traits.

Study Notes

Evolution Overview

Historical Perspectives

Key Figures in Evolution

Darwin's Discoveries

Main Concepts of Natural Selection

Fossil Record and Dating Techniques

Evidence for Evolution

Evolutionary Processes

Selection Techniques

Studying That Suits You

Description

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In the 18th century Europe, most scientists thought that all species were and _.

As a young man, Charles Darwin was disinterested in __ and _.

Darwin collected _ and kept careful records of _.

Darwin collected 13 different finches and each finch had a distinctive specialized for _.

In undisturbed rocks, the bottom layers are the and the top layers are the _.