Evolution and Species Adaptation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary idea behind the theory of evolution?

  • Life on Earth has remained unchanged over time.
  • All living organisms have a common ancestral origin. (correct)
  • Species evolve only in response to environmental disasters.
  • Species cannot interbreed with one another.

Which of the following best describes a species?

  • A group of similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. (correct)
  • A collection of different life forms on Earth.
  • A group of organisms that cannot interbreed.
  • Any organism that shares characteristics with another organism.

What observation did Darwin make about finches in the Galápagos Islands?

  • Each species of finch had a beak type suited to the food available on its island. (correct)
  • Finches on each island were identical to mainland species.
  • Finches evolved in isolation from other birds.
  • All finches had similar beak types regardless of food sources.

What did Darwin's observations during his travels lead him to propose?

<p>New species originate from pre-existing species over time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the HMS Beagle play in Darwin's research?

<p>It helped him gather observations of diverse organisms around the world. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects Darwin's belief about the process of evolution?

<p>Species gradually adapt to their environments over long periods. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin conclude about the relationship between different species?

<p>All species can trace their lineage back to a single ancestor. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin's idea of heritable differences imply?

<p>Each species accumulates unique genetic differences over generations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Theory of Evolution

A theory that explains how life on Earth has changed over time, based on the idea that organisms adapt to their environments to survive and reproduce.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully, passing those beneficial traits to their offspring.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

On the Origin of Species

The book published by Charles Darwin in 1859 that presented his theory of evolution by natural selection.

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Common Ancestor

An ancestral organism from which all living things descended through a series of evolutionary changes.

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HMS Beagle

A ship that Charles Darwin sailed on during his voyage around the world, which provided him with observations and data that supported his theory of evolution.

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Galápagos Islands

A group of islands in the Pacific Ocean where Darwin observed different species of finches with unique beak shapes adapted to their specific food sources.

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Adaptation

The gradual changes in the characteristics of a species over time, driven by natural selection.

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Study Notes

Evolution

  • Evolution is the change in life on Earth over long periods, with living things adapting to environmental changes.
  • Charles Darwin is known as the "Father of Evolution," proposing that all living organisms share a common ancestor.
  • Darwin's theory of evolution is based on descent from a common ancestor, and that all organisms are related.

Species

  • A species is a group of similar organisms that interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
  • Darwin's observations of species, particularly finches in the Galapagos Islands, showed differences in beak type related to available food sources, indicating adaptation to different environments.
  • Finches with different beak types were well-suited to specific food sources on their respective islands.
  • This process of adaptation over long periods may have led to the formation of new species.

Darwin's Observations

  • Darwin's observations of species were primarily based on global travels during the HMS Beagle expedition (1831-1836).
  • He studied various organisms and their adaptations in different environments.
  • His observations included the distribution and characteristics of organisms in South America, Australia, and the southern tip of Africa.

Descent with Modification

  • Darwin proposed that new species arise from pre-existing species through gradual changes over time.
  • He believed that species share a common ancestor and accumulate heritable genetic differences.
  • "Descent with modification" refers to the process where traits are passed down through generations, accumulating differences leading to new species.

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Evolution Theory PDF - LS.8.3.1

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