Darwin's Theory of Evolution Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What did Darwin observe during an earthquake in Chile that helped him deduce that rocks containing fossils of ocean organisms in the Andean Mountains were raised there by many similar earthquakes?

  • He observed the formation of new species of plants and animals.
  • He observed the erosion of the mountains by the earthquake.
  • He observed the movement of the earth's tectonic plates.
  • He observed the uplift of rocks by several meters. (correct)

Darwin hypothesized that the species of birds he found on the Galápagos Islands originated from which location?

  • The Arctic.
  • Australia
  • The mainland of South America (correct)
  • Africa

What are adaptations, as defined by Darwin, and how do they contribute to the evolution of new species?

  • Adaptations are learned behaviors that help organisms survive in changing environments, leading to the development of new species through natural selection.
  • Adaptations are inherited characteristics that make organisms more vulnerable to their environment, leading to the extinction of species.
  • Adaptations are physical traits that help organisms survive in their environment, leading to a gradual accumulation of changes over time that can result in new species. (correct)
  • Adaptations are random mutations that lead to new species, regardless of their impact on the environment.

How did Darwin's observations of fossils and living species in South America contribute to his understanding of evolution?

<p>Similarities between fossils and living species, as well as similarities between living species from different areas, suggested that species change over time and are related. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin observed a diverse group of finches on the Galápagos Islands. How did he explain this diversity?

<p>He hypothesized that the finches evolved from a common ancestor, adapting to different food sources on the islands. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Cuvier's observations, what can be concluded about the distribution of fossils in sedimentary rock layers?

<p>Species appear and disappear abruptly across different strata, indicating catastrophic events may have occurred. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the idea of uniformitarianism proposed by Charles Lyell?

<p>The Earth's geological processes occur at a constant rate, unchanged over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Lamarck's main contribution to the understanding of evolution?

<p>Lamarck argued that evolution is a gradual process, driven by the inheritance of acquired characteristics. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a principle proposed by Lamarck to explain evolutionary change?

<p>Natural selection favors individuals with traits that increase their chances of survival and reproduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle influence his understanding of evolution?

<p>Darwin's voyage helped him understand the geographic distribution of species, leading him to question the concept of fixed species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concept behind Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

<p>Individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to their offspring. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key idea did Hutton and Lyell contribute to Darwin's understanding of evolution?

<p>That the Earth is much older than previously thought, allowing for sufficient time for the evolution of life. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately reflects the relationship between Darwin and Lamarck's ideas about evolution?

<p>Darwin rejected Lamarck's idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics and instead proposed natural selection as the primary mechanism of evolution. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What drives adaptation in response to environmental changes?

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

Which of the following statements regarding natural selection is true?

<p>It can lead to an increase in favorable heritable traits in a population. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do heritable traits play in natural selection?

<p>They can be increased or decreased based on their variability in a population. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence supports the theory of evolution?

<p>Direct observations, homology, fossil records, and biogeography (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is least likely to impact natural selection?

<p>Random mutations in non-heritable traits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do soapberry bugs illustrate natural selection?

<p>Their beak length varies based on the type of food source they use. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of evolution imply about populations over time?

<p>Populations can evolve through changes in heritable traits. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the outcome of natural selection in a changing environment?

<p>New species may arise through adaptation to new conditions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method through which humans modify species?

<p>Artificial selection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements reflects an inference drawn by Darwin based on observations of populations?

<p>Inherited traits that enhance survival are likely to be passed to offspring. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what happens to less favorable variations over time?

<p>They gradually diminish in frequency. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Thomas Malthus contribute to Darwin's understanding of population dynamics?

<p>Populations can grow faster than the resources available. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can advantageous traits impact a population over generations?

<p>They can increase the survival rate of offspring. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of natural selection according to the provided content?

<p>Organisms become better suited for their environments. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a role of inherited traits in a population's survival?

<p>They enhance the chances of survival and reproduction in specific environments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor can lead to the accumulation of advantageous traits in a population?

<p>Increased offspring mortality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria are able to survive and reproduce in the presence of methicillin?

<p>MRSA bacteria have evolved a mutation that allows them to produce an enzyme that is not affected by methicillin. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the discovery of the antibiotic teixobactin in 2015?

<p>Teixobactin has demonstrated promising results in treating resistant pathogens, offering new hope for combating antibiotic resistance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of natural selection in the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria?

<p>Natural selection favors bacteria that already possess genes conferring resistance to a particular antibiotic, allowing them to survive and reproduce. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The statement 'Natural selection does not create new traits; it selects for traits already present in the population' implies that:

<p>Natural selection favors traits that already exist in the population and are advantageous for survival and reproduction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the spread of resistance genes between individuals contribute to the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria?

<p>Resistance genes can spread through the exchange of genetic material between bacteria, leading to the rapid evolution of multidrug-resistant strains. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the example of the correlation between beak size and fruit size in different bird populations illustrate evolution by natural selection?

<p>Birds with beaks adapted to eating the new, larger fruits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass their genes onto their offspring, leading to an increase in beak size over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to discover and develop new antibiotics to combat the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance?

<p>New antibiotics can provide an alternative treatment option in cases where existing antibiotics are ineffective. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main reasons that prompted Darwin to finally publish his theory of natural selection?

<p>He discovered strong evidence that Alfred Russel Wallace was about to publish a similar idea, and he felt pressured to publish his own work. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the concept of homology as evidence for evolution?

<p>Homologous structures are those that are similar in structure, even if they have different functions, indicating a common ancestry. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin's concept of 'descent with modification' refers to the idea that:

<p>New species arise from existing species through a process of gradual accumulation of modifications. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Darwin's theory, which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of natural selection?

<p>The increasing complexity of organisms throughout history. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Linnean Society of London in the context of Darwin's theory?

<p>It was the venue where Darwin first presented his theory of natural selection, along with Alfred Russel Wallace. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin's analogy of a tree with branching lineages represents the idea that:

<p>All species are related by descent from a common ancestor, with diversification happening over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of morphological gaps between related groups, as explained by Darwin's theory?

<p>They are explained by branching and extinction events, where some lineages diversify while others disappear. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Darwin's theory of natural selection explain the diversity of life on Earth?

<p>Organisms compete for resources, and those with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of diverse species. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The statement "organisms are suited to life in their environments" is a direct consequence of which key concept in Darwin's theory?

<p>Natural selection. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cuvier's observation on fossils

Cuvier observed that fossils found in older rock layers are less similar to modern organisms than those found in newer layers.

Species change across strata

Cuvier observed that new species appeared and others disappeared between different rock layers.

Catastrophism

Cuvier proposed that sudden catastrophic events caused the boundaries between rock layers.

Gradualism

Hutton proposed that Earth's features were formed gradually by slow, continuous processes.

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Uniformitarianism

Lyell proposed that the same geological processes that happen today also happened in the past at the same rate.

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Lamarckism

Lamarck proposed that organisms acquire traits during their lifetime and pass them on to their offspring.

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Use and disuse

Lamarck's theory states that body parts used extensively grow larger and stronger, while unused parts deteriorate.

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Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Lamarck's theory states that modifications acquired during an organism's lifetime can be inherited by its offspring.

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Adaptations

Inherited traits that help an organism survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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Biota

The collection of species found in a particular geographic area.

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Evolution by Natural Selection

The process by which species change over time through gradual accumulation of adaptations.

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Species

A group of closely related organisms that can reproduce with each other and produce fertile offspring.

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Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and their relationships.

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Natural selection

The process by which individuals with inherited traits that increase their survival and reproduction rates in a particular environment are more likely to pass on those traits to their offspring.

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Descent with modification

Darwin's term describing the idea that all living organisms are related through common ancestry, and that over time, these descendants have diverged and adapted to their environments leading to the diversity of life we see today.

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Darwin's theory of natural selection

A hypothesis proposing a mechanism for adaptation and evolution. It states that individuals with traits that enhance their ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment are more likely to pass those traits to their offspring.

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Alfred Russel Wallace

A scientist who independently developed a hypothesis of natural selection similar to Darwin's, prompting Darwin to publish his own work.

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Linnean Society of London (1858)

A scientific meeting where papers by both Darwin and Wallace, outlining their ideas on natural selection, were presented simultaneously.

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On the Origin of Species

Darwin's book published in 1859, which detailed his theory of evolution by natural selection and provided evidence to support it.

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Unity of life

The observation that all living organisms share fundamental similarities in their cellular structure and biochemistry, suggesting a common ancestor.

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Diversity of life

The vast diversity of life forms on Earth, from microscopic bacteria to giant sequoia trees, all stemming from a shared ancestor and evolving through adaptation to different environments.

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Artificial Selection

A process where humans intentionally select and breed organisms with desired traits, leading to changes in a species over generations. Examples include domesticated animals and crop varieties.

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Variation in Traits

Individuals within a population exhibit variations in their traits, often due to inherited differences.

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Overproduction of Offspring

Organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition for resources.

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Survival and Reproduction

Individuals with traits that make them better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to their offspring.

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Evolution

The gradual accumulation of favorable traits in a population over generations, leading to changes in the species over time.

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Environmental Pressure

The environment's influence on the survival and reproduction of individuals within a population.

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Homology

Inherited similarities among different species, suggesting a common ancestor. These can be anatomical structures, developmental patterns, or molecular sequences.

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Direct Observations of Evolution

Directly observing evolutionary change in populations over time, often through experiments or long-term studies.

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Fossil Record

The study of fossils provides a historical record of life on Earth, documenting past environments and the changes in organisms over time.

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Antibiotic Resistance

The process by which bacteria become less susceptible to antibiotics. This occurs when bacteria with resistance genes survive and reproduce more effectively in the presence of antibiotics.

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Gene Exchange

The sharing of genetic material between individuals within a population, often through horizontal gene transfer. This can lead to rapid spread of traits, like antibiotic resistance.

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Study Notes

Chapter 22: Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

  • Darwin's theory of descent with modification explains similarities and differences among species
  • Species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over generations
  • Shared ancestry results in shared characteristics and the accumulation of differences

Concepts 22.1: The Darwinian Revolution

  • The publication of The Origin of Species in 1859 marked a scientific revolution, initiating the era of evolutionary biology.
  • Darwin's ideas developed gradually, influenced by other's works and his travels.

Figure 22.2: Timeline of Key Events

  • 1790-1809: Development of ideas about gradualism and evolution
  • 1809: Lamarck's hypothesis of evolution
  • 1795: Hutton's principle of gradualism
  • 1798: Malthus's "Essay on the Principle of Population"
  • 1812: Cuvier's studies of fossils
  • 1830: Lyell's Principles of Geology
  • 1831-1836: Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle
  • 1844: Darwin wrote his essay on descent with modification
  • 1858: Wallace's hypothesis of natural selection, communicated to Darwin
  • 1859: Publication of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

Endless Forms Most Beautiful

  • Shared characteristics among different species illustrate the unity and diversity of life
  • Organisms are adapted for life in their biotic and abiotic environments

Evolution

  • Evolution is the process by which species accumulate differences from their ancestors.
  • Darwin summarized this concept with the phrase "descent with modification".

Scala Naturae and Classification of Species

  • Aristotle's Scala Naturae: Species were fixed and arranged in a scale of increasing complexity.
  • 1700s: Scientists viewed adaptions as evidence of design by a Creator.

Ideas About Change over Time

  • Fossils, remains or traces of organisms from the past, are crucial for understanding evolution.
  • Many fossils are found in layers of sedimentary rock called strata

Paleontology (The Study of Fossils)

  • Georges Cuvier (1769-1832), a key figure in paleontology, observed that older strata contain less similar fossils compared to current organisms.
  • From layer to layer, new species appear while others disappear.
  • Cuvier speculated that strata boundaries represent sudden catastrophic events.
  • Darwin was also influenced by scientists who proposed that Earth's geological features resulted from slow, continuous processes, like the formation of valleys by rivers.
  • Charles Lyell proposed that the same geological processes that operate today have operated in the past, at roughly the same rate.

Lamarck's Hypothesis of Evolution

  • Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck (1744–1829) proposed two principles to explain evolutionary change: (a) use and disuse; (b) inheritance of acquired characteristics.
  • These principles are not supported by experimental evidence.

Darwin's Focus on Adaptation

  • Darwin observed numerous adaptations during the voyage of the Beagle.
  • Adaptations are heritable characteristics that enhance survival and reproduction in specific environments.
  • Darwin saw that new species could arise from ancestral forms through gradual accumulation of adaptations

Figure 22.6: Examples of Adaptation in Darwin's Finches

  • Darwin noticed varying beak shapes among finch species on the Galápagos Islands which were suited to different food sources.

Natural Selection

  • Natural selection is a process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more common among organisms in an environment.
  • Charles Darwin's idea of natural selection was a major contribution to the understanding of adaptation in organisms.

Ideas from The Origin of Species

  • Descent with modification explains the unity and diversity of life.
  • Organisms are suited to their environments.

Descent with Modification

  • Darwin used the concept to describe his view of life.
  • All organisms came from common ancestors.
  • Organisms living in different environments adapted to lifestyles within their environments.
  • Darwin envisioned life history as a tree with branches from a common trunk, where labeled branches reflect living species and unlabeled branches reflect extinct ones, and a fork represents the most common ancestor.

Large Morphological Gaps and Extinction Events

  • Morphological gaps (large structural differences between related groups) and extinctions help explain differences between current and previous species.
  • For example, the extinction of several older elephant species helps explain the dissimilarity between elephants and relatives like manatees.

Figure 22.8: Evolutionary Tree of Elephants

  • Shows the evolutionary relationships and common ancestry of various extinct and modern elephant species

Artificial Selection, Natural Selection, and Adaptation

  • Humans modify species by only breeding individuals with desired traits
  • Crops and domestic animals have been modified through artificial selection.

Figure 22.9: Examples of Artificial Selection in Wild Mustard

  • Artificial selection demonstrates how humans can induce adaptations, similar to natural selection's process.

Darwin's Inferences from observations

  • Members of a population often vary in their inherited traits.
  • All species can produce more offspring than the environment can support, resulting in many offspring not surviving or reproducing.
  • Individuals with inherited traits that increase survival and reproduction in an environment tend to produce more offspring than other individuals
  • The unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce will lead to the accumulation of favorable traits in the population over generations.

The Evolution of Drug-Resistant Bacteria

  • Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can evolve resistance to antibiotics like methicillin due to variations in traits within populations.
  • Resistance genes are exchanged amongst bacteria, and resistance evolves more rapidly than new antibiotics are discovered.

Homology

  • Homology refers to similarity resulting from common ancestry
  • Related species can possess similar characteristics with underlying similarities but differing functions

Anatomical and Molecular Homologies

  • Homologous structures, like the forelimbs in mammals, share basic anatomical elements despite their differing functions and adaptations.
  • Comparative embryology reveals homologous structures not always visible in the adult form.
  • Vertebrate embryos share developmental patterns like pharyngeal arches and post-anal tails.
  • Similar genes may have acquired or lost functions in different species.

Homologies and "Tree Thinking"

  • Shared similarities between many species date back to a deep ancestor
  • Evolutionary trees visually represent the relationships among various species, rooted in the common ancestor, not the proximity of species in the tree.
  • Evolutionary trees can use different data, such as DNA sequences and anatomical data
  • Well-supported trees allow scientists to predict characteristics of organisms.

Convergent Evolution

  • Convergent evolution leads to similar characteristics in distantly related species due to analogous traits, not common ancestry
  • These traits arise independently in different organisms due to adaptation to similar environments

The Fossil Record

  • Fossils offer evidence of extinction, origin of new species, and evolution over time.
  • Comparing fossil structural features helps understand transitions between different environments, such as the transition from land animals to aquatic animals.
  • For example, the fossil record supports the theory of cetaceans being closely related to even-toed ungulates.

Biogeography

  • Biogeography, the study of species' geographic distributions, supports evolution.
  • Species distributions are impacted by continental drift.
  • Species in geographically isolated places may be closely related, supporting the common ancestry idea.

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Chapter 22 - Descent with Modification PDF

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Test your knowledge on Darwin's observations and theories surrounding evolution. From his discoveries during the earthquake in Chile to the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands, this quiz covers key concepts and historical figures in evolutionary biology. Challenge yourself and deepen your understanding of natural selection and adaptations.

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