Darwin's Theory of Evolution Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the main idea of Darwin's theory of evolution?

  • Inherited characteristics are not influenced by environmental changes.
  • Evolution is solely driven by environmental factors.
  • Species evolve through natural selection and descent with modification. (correct)
  • All species are static and do not change.

The phrase 'survival of the fittest' originated with Charles Darwin directly.

False (B)

What is the relationship between natural variation and natural selection?

Natural variation among individuals in a population allows for natural selection to occur, as some traits may provide a survival advantage.

Darwin published 'Origin of Species' in _____.

<p>1859</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Homologous structures = Structures with a common origin but may serve different functions Analogous structures = Structures that serve similar functions but do not share a common origin Vestigial features = Nonfunctioning structures that are homologous to fully functioning structures in related species Comparative embryology = Study of structural similarities during embryonic development</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin observe regarding certain traits in populations?

<p>Certain traits are better suited to local environmental pressures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Molecular biology contributes to our understanding of evolution by analyzing DNA similarities among species.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is best known for the theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics?

<p>Jean-Baptiste Lamarck</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of prezygotic barrier?

<p>Hybrid sterility (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Adaptive radiation typically occurs after mass extinction events.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of speciation occurs when populations remain in the same geographic area but split into separate gene pools?

<p>Sympatric speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mechanical isolation refers to __ differences in reproductive anatomy.

<p>anatomical</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which prezygotic barrier is exemplified by animals that mate in different seasons?

<p>Temporal isolation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their definitions:

<p>Hybrid inviability = Reduces a hybrid's capacity to mature Convergent evolution = Unrelated species develop similar traits Divergent evolution = Species become increasingly different Coevolution = Organisms evolve in response to each other</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of hybrid sterility?

<p>The hybrid is unable to reproduce.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Divergent evolution involves species becoming more similar over time.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key mechanism that distinguishes artificial selection from natural selection?

<p>Humans choose the traits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Microevolution refers to large scale evolutionary changes in populations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a gene pool?

<p>The complete set of genetic information within a population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium shows __________ in its gene pool.

<p>no change</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of natural selection with its description:

<p>Stabilizing Selection = The average phenotype is favored. Directional Selection = One extreme phenotype is favored. Disruptive Selection = Both extreme phenotypes are favored. Sexual Selection = Traits that increase mating success are favored.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?

<p>Viral Infection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Genetic drift has a stronger effect on larger populations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the founder effect?

<p>The reduced genetic diversity that occurs when a new population is established by a small number of individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the theory of speciation, a species is defined as a population that can __________ in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring.

<p>interbreed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of selection results in two distinct phenotypes being favored?

<p>Disruptive Selection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gene flow between populations decreases genetic variation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of stabilizing selection?

<p>It increases the frequency of average phenotypes while reducing extremes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium provides a baseline for determining __________ in a population.

<p>evolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does sexual selection primarily focus on?

<p>Mate choice based on certain traits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the point of origin for genetic drift phenomena:

<p>Bottleneck Effect = Population size is drastically reduced. Founder Effect = A small group starts a new colony.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Natural Selection

Process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Descent with modification

All species are descended from previous ancestral species, changing over time.

Homologous structures

Similar structures shared by species with a common ancestor, but may have different functions.

Analogous structures

Structures with a similar function, but different origin and structure.

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Vestigial features

Non-functional structures in organisms, but similar to functional structures in related species.

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Fossil Record

Evidence of past life, showing the order in which organisms appeared.

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Struggle for existence

Competition for limited resources in an environment.

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Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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Prezygotic Barriers

Mechanisms that prevent mating or fertilization between different species before a zygote forms.

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Postzygotic Barriers

Mechanisms that prevent a hybrid zygote from developing into a healthy, fertile adult.

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Behavioral Isolation

Differences in mating rituals, songs, or other courtship behaviors prevent interbreeding.

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Habitat Isolation

Species live in different habitats, even within the same geographic area.

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Temporal Isolation

Species breed at different times of day, year, or season.

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Mechanical Isolation

Physical incompatibility of reproductive structures prevents successful mating.

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Gametic Isolation

Egg and sperm of different species are incompatible.

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Sympatric Speciation

Evolution of new species within the same geographic area, without physical separation.

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Artificial Selection

The process where humans intentionally select and breed organisms with desirable traits, leading to changes in the population over time.

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Natural Selection vs. Artificial Selection

Natural selection involves the environment choosing traits that favor survival and reproduction, while artificial selection is driven by human choice.

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Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

A theoretical state where a population's allele frequencies remain constant across generations, indicating no evolution is occurring.

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Microevolution

Evolutionary change within a single population, focusing on changes in allele frequencies.

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Gene Pool

The collection of all genes within a population, serving as the source of genetic variation for future generations.

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Mutation

A random change in DNA sequence, potentially introducing new alleles into the gene pool.

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Migration (Gene Flow)

The movement of individuals into or out of a population, altering allele frequencies.

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Genetic Drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies, especially significant in small populations.

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Bottleneck Effect

A drastic reduction in population size, resulting in reduced genetic diversity and vulnerability to future changes.

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Founder Effect

A new population established by a small group of individuals with potentially different allele frequencies from the original population.

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Stabilizing Selection

Natural selection favoring the average phenotype while selecting against extreme phenotypes.

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Directional Selection

Natural selection favoring one extreme phenotype, leading to a shift in the population's average phenotype.

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Disruptive Selection

Natural selection favoring both extreme phenotypes over the average phenotype, potentially leading to speciation.

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Sexual Selection

Individuals with certain traits are more likely to attract mates and reproduce, influencing the evolution of those traits.

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Speciation

The process of forming new species, often driven by reproductive isolation that prevents interbreeding.

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Study Notes

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

  • Darwin's 1844 essay detailed his discoveries.
  • Darwin and Wallace published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859.
  • Core tenets: all species are descended from ancestral species (descent with modification), and evolution occurs through natural selection.

Natural Selection

  • Driving force of evolution.
  • Key observations: struggle for existence, natural variation among populations, and environmental influences.
  • Thomas Malthus's concept of competition for limited resources fueled Darwin's ideas.
  • "Survival of the fittest" is a phrase associated with natural selection.

Variation

  • Traits better suited to the environment increase offspring survival.
  • Natural selection favors organisms with more desirable traits for passing on traits.

Lamarck's Theory

  • Lamarck proposed the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
  • Traits developed during an organism's lifetime were believed to be passed to offspring.

Natural Selection Process

  • Natural selection favors individuals with advantageous traits, leading to increased reproduction.
  • Over generations, populations and species change over time.
  • Fitness is measured by the ability to survive and reproduce.

Evidence of Evolution

  • Fossil record (older fossils in deeper strata, newer fossils closer to the surface) is strong evidence of evolution.
  • Homologous structures (similar origins, different functions, like dolphin flippers and human hands) and analogous structures (different origins, similar functions, like bird and insect wings) demonstrate evolutionary relationships.
  • Vestigial structures are remnants of ancestral traits (human ear muscles).
  • Comparative embryology shows similarities in embryonic development of related species.
  • Molecular biology (DNA and protein comparisons) reveal similarities between organisms.
  • Artificial selection (human-driven selection of traits) contrasts with natural selection (environment-driven selection).

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

  • Microevolution is evolution within a single population.
  • Gene pool: total alleles in a population.
  • Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a non-evolving population (gene pool remains constant).
  • It serves as a baseline to compare populations, to note when a gene pool is changing.
  • Absence of change in allelic frequencies indicates no evolution. Changes indicate evolution.

Mechanisms of Evolution

  • Mutation: Random changes in DNA; although rare, a significant driver of evolution.
  • Gene Flow (Migration): Movement of fertile individuals between populations mixes genetic material.
  • Genetic Drift: Random chance events affect allele frequencies, especially in small populations.
  • Bottlenecks result from drastic reductions in population size, leading to decreased genetic diversity.
  • Founder Effect: Reduced variation when a small population founds a new colony.
  • Natural Selection: Organisms with advantageous traits flourish, increasing their frequency.
  • Types of Natural selection: Stabilizing Selection (favors the average trait), Directional Selection (favors one extreme), Disruptive Selection (favors both extremes).

Sexual Selection

  • Preference for certain traits in mates influence traits.
  • Doesn't always align with environmental pressures.
  • Often leads to sexual dimorphism (differences between the sexes in appearance).

Speciation

  • Species are reproductively isolated populations.
  • Speciation forms new species.
  • Reproductive Isolation (Barries) prevent interbreeding.
    • Prezygotic Barriers: (before fertilization) - timing, location, incompatible gametes.
    • Postzygotic Barriers: (after fertilization) - offspring inviability or sterility.
  • Allopatric Speciation: Geographic isolation drives speciation.
  • Sympatric Speciation: Speciation within the same geographic area.
  • Adaptive Radiation: Rapid diversification after an event or to fill open niches.

Divergence & Convergence

  • Divergent (Homologous): Related organisms diverge over time, leading to new traits.
  • Convergent (Analogous): Unrelated species independently develop similar traits.

Coevolution

  • Evolutionary changes in two or more species as they interact can occur.

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Test your knowledge on Darwin's essential ideas about evolution and natural selection. This quiz covers key concepts such as descent with modification, the process of natural selection, and contrasts with Lamarck's theory. Challenge yourself to understand evolution's driving mechanisms!

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