Podcast
Questions and Answers
The development of new types of organisms from preexisting types of organisms over time is called _____.
The development of new types of organisms from preexisting types of organisms over time is called _____.
evolution
What do modern scientists define evolution as?
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 _______.
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?
How old did most scientists of the 18th century think the earth was?
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By the 1800's, scientists in Europe had begun to study ______.
By the 1800's, scientists in Europe had begun to study ______.
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What did scientists in the 1800's infer from studying the strata?
What did scientists in the 1800's infer from studying the strata?
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Who were the two scientists with theories of evolution?
Who were the two scientists with theories of evolution?
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What was the first theory of evolution?
What was the first theory of evolution?
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What did Lamarck believe about the first theory of evolution?
What did Lamarck believe about the first theory of evolution?
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An ____ is a trait that is not determined by genes; it arises during an organism's lifetime as a result of experience or behavior.
An ____ is a trait that is not determined by genes; it arises during an organism's lifetime as a result of experience or behavior.
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Lamarck's theory of acquired traits was easily _____.
Lamarck's theory of acquired traits was easily _____.
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Lamarck was the first to clearly state what?
Lamarck was the first to clearly state what?
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As a young man, Charles Darwin was disinterested in ______ and _____.
As a young man, Charles Darwin was disinterested in ______ and _____.
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What ship did Darwin sail on and why?
What ship did Darwin sail on and why?
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Darwin collected _____ and kept careful records of _____.
Darwin collected _____ and kept careful records of _____.
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______ is considered to be the founder of modern evolutionary theory.
______ is considered to be the founder of modern evolutionary theory.
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What did Darwin do during his 5-year voyage?
What did Darwin do during his 5-year voyage?
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Darwin spent time on the _____.
Darwin spent time on the _____.
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Geologically, the islands are young and are unique in the vast amount of ____ (or native) animal species.
Geologically, the islands are young and are unique in the vast amount of ____ (or native) animal species.
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What species did Darwin discover only on the Galapagos islands?
What species did Darwin discover only on the Galapagos islands?
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Darwin collected 13 different finches and each finch had a distinctive ____ specialized for _____.
Darwin collected 13 different finches and each finch had a distinctive ____ specialized for _____.
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The similarities of the finches' bills implied what?
The similarities of the finches' bills implied what?
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What is a result of the Galapagos being geologically young islands?
What is a result of the Galapagos being geologically young islands?
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What was Darwin's conclusion after studying on the Galapagos Islands?
What was Darwin's conclusion after studying on the Galapagos Islands?
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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: ______.
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: ______.
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Descent with modification states that the newer forms appearing in the fossil record are actually the modified descendants of older species.
Descent with modification states that the newer forms appearing in the fossil record are actually the modified descendants of older species.
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Because of descent with modification, Darwin inferred what?
Because of descent with modification, Darwin inferred what?
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Similar organisms arise in the same ______.
Similar organisms arise in the same ______.
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Modification by natural selection is a process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.
Modification by natural selection is a process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.
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______ refers to organisms that survive because of the adaptations they inherit.
______ refers to organisms that survive because of the adaptations they inherit.
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What were the assumptions of survival of the fittest?
What were the assumptions of survival of the fittest?
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A _____ is any evidence of an organism that lived long ago.
A _____ is any evidence of an organism that lived long ago.
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How are fossils classified?
How are fossils classified?
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_____ are traces of once living organisms.
_____ are traces of once living organisms.
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Where are fossils mostly found?
Where are fossils mostly found?
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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.
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.
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Successive strata are _____.
Successive strata are _____.
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_____ is determined by their position in sedimentary rock.
_____ is determined by their position in sedimentary rock.
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In undisturbed rocks, the bottom layers are the ____ and the top layers are the _____.
In undisturbed rocks, the bottom layers are the ____ and the top layers are the _____.
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How can geologists often tell a fossil's relative age?
How can geologists often tell a fossil's relative age?
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For certain rocks, scientists can estimate the time since formation, or the absolute age of the rock, by techniques such as _____.
For certain rocks, scientists can estimate the time since formation, or the absolute age of the rock, by techniques such as _____.
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How do you determine the age of a fossil?
How do you determine the age of a fossil?
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_____ uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a fossil.
_____ uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a fossil.
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____ describes how long it takes for one-half of the radioactive isotope to decay.
____ describes how long it takes for one-half of the radioactive isotope to decay.
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____ is the study of the locations of organisms around the world.
____ is the study of the locations of organisms around the world.
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On his voyage, Darwin noticed what?
On his voyage, Darwin noticed what?
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_____ is changes in the structure of body parts.
_____ is changes in the structure of body parts.
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___ is a slow process.
___ is a slow process.
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______ are changes in an organism's metabolic process.
______ are changes in an organism's metabolic process.
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What is an example of physiological adaptation?
What is an example of physiological adaptation?
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What is the evidence of evolution?
What is the evidence of evolution?
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_____ are those believed to have the same origin and same components, but different functions.
_____ are those believed to have the same origin and same components, but different functions.
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______ are any body structure that is reduced in function in a living organism but may have been used by an ancestor.
______ are any body structure that is reduced in function in a living organism but may have been used by an ancestor.
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_______ are similarities among vertebrate embryos suggest evolution from a common ancestor.
_______ are similarities among vertebrate embryos suggest evolution from a common ancestor.
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_____ is the evolutionary history of a species or taxonomic group; the relationship by ancestry among species or taxonomic groups.
_____ is the evolutionary history of a species or taxonomic group; the relationship by ancestry among species or taxonomic groups.
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What happens in co-evolution?
What happens in co-evolution?
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What happens in convergent evolution?
What happens in convergent evolution?
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What is an example of convergent evolution?
What is an example of convergent evolution?
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What happens in divergent evolution?
What happens in divergent evolution?
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____ occurs when a new population in a new environment will undergo divergent evolution until the population fills many parts of the environment.
____ occurs when a new population in a new environment will undergo divergent evolution until the population fills many parts of the environment.
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______ is a technique in which a breeder selects particular traits.
______ is a technique in which a breeder selects particular traits.
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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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
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.