Evolutionary Biology: Evidence & Patterns of Diversity

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Questions and Answers

What did Darwin observe about the grasslands in Argentina and Australia?

They were home to only a few species

They were barren and had no vegetation

They had similar animals to those found in European grasslands

They were inhabited by very different animals (correct)

What did Darwin find as he studied fossils?

They were only found in the Galapagos Islands

They resembled organisms that were still alive today (correct)

They were only of ancient plants

They were identical to living organisms

What is a characteristic of the higher islands in the Galapagos?

No animals were found

Hot and dry climate

Greater rainfall and rich vegetation (correct)

Sparse vegetation

What is the process by which organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes?

Natural Selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the identification by humans of desirable traits in plants and animals, and the steps taken to enhance and perpetuate those traits in future generations?

Artificial Selection Signup and view all the answers

What are forms that perform the same function but have very different embryological development or set of structures like bones?

Analogous Structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the remains of ancient organisms?

Fossil Record Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the species found in the Galapagos Islands?

They are very different from those found in other ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Who is most often associated with the concept of evolution?

Charles Darwin Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of evolution on Earth?

The diversity of life on Earth today Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms?

Evolution, or change over time Signup and view all the answers

When did life on Earth begin?

At least 3.5 to 4 billion years ago Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Charles Darwin's ship during his voyage around the world?

H.M.S. Beagle Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a scientific theory?

A well-supported testable explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world Signup and view all the answers

What is the change in the heritable information passed from one generation to the next?

Evolution Signup and view all the answers

How many children did Charles Darwin have?

7 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evidence for Evolution

The fossil record shows changes over time
Geographic distribution of living things, such as different animals in similar grasslands, supports evolution
Homologous body structures, like similarities in early development, provide evidence for evolution

Patterns of Diversity

Darwin observed that Argentina and Australia had different animals in similar grasslands
Fossils found by Darwin resembled living organisms, raising questions about extinction and relationships to living species

The Galapagos Islands

The islands had varying ecosystems, with lower islands being hot and dry, and higher islands having more rainfall and diverse plants and animals
Islands were home to unique species, including land tortoises, Darwin finches, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas

Characteristics of Evolution

Heredity, growth, and development are key aspects of evolution
Adaptation through evolution and reproduction are essential processes

Processes of Evolution

Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution, where adapted organisms are more likely to survive and pass on genes
Artificial selection involves identifying desirable traits in plants and animals, and enhancing them in future generations
Analogous structures have similar functions but different embryological development or structures

Darwin and Theory of Evolution

Aristotle first proposed the idea of evolution centuries ago
Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, popularizing the concept of evolution
Darwin's personal life, including the death of his children, did not deter him from his work on evolution

Evolution Concepts and Significance

Evolution occurs when there is a change in heritable information passed from one generation to the next
Biological evolution involves changes in gene frequency within a population over time
The diversity of life on Earth today is a result of evolution, with life beginning on Earth 3.5-4 billion years ago

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Description

This quiz covers the evidence for evolution, including the fossil record, geographic distribution, and homologous body structures, as well as patterns of diversity in different ecosystems.