Lecturer 14: The descent of Man

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Questions and Answers

What was the only part of Darwin’s ‘big book’ on the origin of species which was printed in his lifetime?

Variations

The power of human selection

The descent of man

The variation of animals and plants under domestication (correct)

What did Darwin study intensively in relation to variations?

Domesticated poultry (correct)

Breeding habits of Victorian animals

Wild rock pigeons

Power of human selection

What did Darwin use to show that the same thing happens in nature as in human breeding?

Breeding habits of Victorian animals (correct)

Traditional views on animal origins

Wild rock pigeons

Power of human selection

What did Darwin spend a lot of time discussing in relation to human selection?

Pigeons Signup and view all the answers

What was the breed of fowl mentioned that was made by humans and cannot survive in nature?

Polish fowl Signup and view all the answers

What was the traditional view that Darwin used to support his argument about the power of human selection?

All animals just existed or come from different places Signup and view all the answers

According to Darwin, what are the three general principles of expression?

Serviceable actions becoming habitual, antithesis, and the direct action of the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin argue about the origin of noble human traits like heroism and sympathy?

They were accentuated in human beings and derived from ancestors who had survived better by exhibiting these traits Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin propose about the performance of opposite movements under opposite impulses?

The habit of voluntarily performing opposite movements under opposite impulses has become firmly established in us by the practice of our whole lives Signup and view all the answers

According to Darwin, what determines the strong and involuntary tendency to perform directly opposite actions?

Regularly performed actions under a certain frame of mind Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin propose about the origin of emotions?

Emotions come from a common source and not gained individually Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin argue about the performance of serviceable actions?

Serviceable actions become habitual in association with certain states of the mind and are performed whether or not of service in each particular case Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Darwin explore for the first time in 'The Descent of Man'?

Sexual selection Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical features provide evidence for human evolution according to 'The Descent of Man'?

Homologies Signup and view all the answers

What does Darwin's theory suggest about vestigial structures like body hair and goosebumps?

They are remnants of ancestral features Signup and view all the answers

What role did Darwin emphasize in the evolution of specific traits in 'The Descent of Man'?

Sexual selection Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's study of embryos show about different species according to 'The Descent of Man'?

Common features in early development stages Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's predictions about the African origins of humans from gorillas and chimpanzees reflect?

Remarkably accurate predictions Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin emphasize about the origin of human races?

Sexual selection as the primary factor Signup and view all the answers

To which species does Darwin's theory of sexual selection apply?

Various animal species including insects, fish, lizards, and birds Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin use to support his theory of sexual selection?

Examples of male-male competition for mates and the development of weapons in males Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction to Darwin's conclusion about mate selection?

Met with skepticism and criticism Signup and view all the answers

According to Darwin, from which primate group do humans descend?

Apes Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's book 'The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals' challenge?

The idea of unique human emotions and expressions Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin propose in the "provisional hypothesis of pangenesis"?

Cells give off particles called gemmules to transfer characteristics from parent to offspring Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's theory of evolution emphasize?

Inheritable variations advantageous for survival Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin use to illustrate his inability to explain the source of variations?

The analogy of rocks at the base of a cliff Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's book on domestic pigeons argue?

All domestic pigeons derived from the wild pigeon, the rock pigeon Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin focus on despite his inability to explain the origin of variations?

The consequence of variation Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's cousin, Francis Galton, do in relation to Darwin's theory of inheritance?

Critiqued and conducted experiments on Darwin's theory of inheritance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Natural Selection

Darwin emphasized how breeders could only see the external appearance of birds and inadvertently change their skeletons, affecting intelligence.
He collected pigeons and studied how humans artificially selected for certain traits, leading to competition over perfect breeds.
Darwin's book on domestic pigeons was controversial as he argued that all derived from the wild pigeon, the rock pigeon.
He proposed the "provisional hypothesis of pangenesis," suggesting that cells give off particles called gemmules to transfer characteristics from parent to offspring.
Darwin's theory of inheritance was unpopular and faced criticism, including from his cousin Francis Galton's experiments.
Despite the controversy, Darwin's theory of evolution was doing well in the scientific community, and he aimed to remind people of the overview of his theory.
Darwin's theory of evolution, descent with modification, highlighted the role of inheritable variations advantageous for survival.
He drew analogies to the succession of species and used the analogy of rocks at the base of a cliff to illustrate his inability to explain the source of variations.
Critics questioned the source of variations, but Darwin could not answer, leading some to propose guided evolution by a higher power.
Darwin focused on the consequence of variation rather than the cause, emphasizing the need to understand natural causes despite his inability to explain the origin of variations.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Natural Selection with this quiz. Explore Darwin's controversial ideas, his studies on pigeons and inheritance, and his emphasis on inheritable variations advantageous for survival. Learn about the criticism he faced and the ongoing impact of his groundbreaking theory in the scientific community.