10 Questions
What is the basis of adaptive ability?
Genetic basis
Who is credited with the theory of evolution driven by use and disuse of organs?
Lamarck
What is the result of the ability to adapt and get selected by nature?
Fitness
What is the concept of evolution based on?
Branching descent and natural selection
What is the story of the world we see a description of?
Evolution as a process
What is the basis of natural selection?
Factual observations
What is a characteristic of members of a population?
They vary in characteristics
What is the result of the ability to adapt and get selected by nature, in terms of life on earth?
Success stories of evolution
What is debated among scientists regarding evolution and natural selection?
Whether they are processes or end results
What influenced Darwin's work on evolution?
Thomas Malthus' work on populations
Study Notes
Evolution and Natural Selection
- Population growth is exponential if everyone reproduces maximally, but in reality, population sizes are limited, leading to competition for resources and survival of the fittest.
- Darwin's insight: heritable variations that enable better resource utilization will enable individuals to reproduce and leave more progeny, leading to changes in population characteristics over time.
Mechanism of Evolution
- Variations can arise through mutations, which are random and directionless, or through minor variations that are small and directional.
- Hugo deVries proposed that mutations cause evolution, whereas Darwin believed in gradual evolution through small variations.
- Population genetics studies later clarified the role of mutations and variations in evolution.
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
- In a population, the frequency of alleles of a gene can be determined, and this frequency can change due to migration, gene flow, or genetic drift.
- Genetic drift can lead to the formation of new species if the change in allele frequency is significant.
Natural Selection
- Natural selection is the process by which heritable variations that enable better survival are enabled to reproduce and leave more progeny.
- This can lead to stabilization, directional change, or disruption of population characteristics.
- Natural selection is driven by variation due to mutation, recombination, gene flow, or genetic drift.
Brief Account of Evolution
- The first cellular forms of life appeared on earth around 2000 million years ago.
- Adaptive ability is inherited and has a genetic basis, leading to fitness and selection by nature.
- Branching descent and natural selection are key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution.
- Evolution is a process, but whether it is a process or a result of a process is still debated.
This quiz tests understanding of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, including the concept of competition for resources and heritable variations that aid survival.
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