10 Questions
Why are kangaroos found on the continent of Australia naturally?
Due to their unique adaptation to the Australian environment
Why are elephants not found in Australia naturally?
Due to their inability to adapt to the Australian environment
What is Biogeography?
The study of the geographical distribution of species
What is the zoological name of the Ostrich?
Struthio camelus
What is unique to the Ostrich, Rhea, and Emu?
They are all flightless birds
What class of animals are the Ostrich, Rhea, and Emu?
Aves
Who is Alfred R. Wallace?
A British naturalist
What is the genotypic ratio expected from the mating of pure red x carrier red?
1:2:1
What is the phenotypic ratio expected from the mating of pure red x carrier red?
3:1
What is the dominant allele in the foxes' coat color?
B
Study Notes
Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution
- Charles Darwin proposed that natural mechanisms produce and transform the diversity of life on Earth through evolution.
- His concept of evolution forms the unifying intellectual paradigm within which all biological research is undertaken.
Lamarck's Theory of Evolution
- Jean Baptiste de Lamarck theorized that two mechanisms fostered evolutionary change:
- The Principle of use and disuse: body parts grow or weaken according to use.
- The Principle of acquired traits: changes acquired during an organism's lifetime are inherited by its offspring.
- Although Lamarck's mechanisms do not cause evolutionary change, he made four significant contributions to the development of an evolutionary worldview:
- Species change over time.
- New characteristics are passed from one generation to the next.
- Organisms change in response to their environment.
- Specific mechanisms cause evolutionary change.
Evolutionary Concepts
- Biological evolution occurs in populations when genetic changes cause the genome to differ from ancestors.
- These genetic changes and their phenotypic modifications are the products of evolution.
- Biologists strive to understand the processes that cause evolutionary change by studying the products of evolution.
Alfred R. Wallace and Biogeography
- Alfred R. Wallace contributed to the Theory of Evolution, and his work is closely tied to biogeography, the study of the geographic distribution of organisms.
Assignment Questions
- Kangaroos are found on the continent of Australia naturally due to evolutionary adaptations.
- Elephants are not found in Australia naturally due to geographical and evolutionary factors.
Definitions
- Natural Selection: the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Biogeography: the study of the geographic distribution of organisms.
- Rhea: a type of flightless bird found in South America, scientifically known as Rhea americana.
- Emu: a type of flightless bird found in Australia, scientifically known as Dromaius novaehollandiae.
- Ostrich: a type of flightless bird found in Africa, scientifically known as Struthio camelus.
Test your knowledge on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which explains how natural mechanisms produce and transform the diversity of life on Earth. This concept remains a fundamental principle in biological research, shaping our understanding of the relationships between all forms of life. See how well you understand the foundation of evolutionary biology.
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