Evolutionary Theories and Fossils
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Questions and Answers

What theory did George Cuvier propose to explain the changes in fossil records?

  • Catastrophism (correct)
  • Scala Naturae
  • Gradualism
  • Uniformitarianism

Aristotle believed that organisms evolve and change over time.

False (B)

Who is known as the first paleontologist?

George Cuvier

Charles Lyell's principle of __________ suggests that geological processes operate at the same rate now as they did in the past.

<p>uniformitarianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following figures with their theories or contributions:

<p>George Cuvier = Catastrophism James Hutton = Gradualism Charles Lyell = Uniformitarianism Aristotle = Scala Naturae</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary classification system developed by Carolus Linnaeus?

<p>Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Georges-Louis LeClerc, Comte de Buffon believed in the immutability of species.

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

What concept did Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck propose regarding how organisms evolve?

<p>Use and disuse, inheritance of acquired characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thomas Malthus is known for his essay on ___ principles of population.

<p>the</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following figures with their contributions to evolutionary thought:

<p>Carolus Linnaeus = Father of modern taxonomy Georges-Louis LeClerc, Comte de Buffon = Unity of type and old Earth concept Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck = Use and disuse theory of evolution Thomas Malthus = Principle of population essay</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis did Charles Darwin propose regarding the Galapagos Islands?

<p>They were colonized by a South American species that adapted to local conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Erasmus Darwin believed that organisms could pass on traits to their offspring.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who joined the Beagle as a naturalist in 1831?

<p>Charles Darwin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Natural Selection is the mechanism of ________.

<p>evolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their contributions to the theory of evolution:

<p>Charles Darwin = Developed the theory of Natural Selection Erasmus Darwin = Proposed early ideas of heredity Alfred Russell Wallace = Independently proposed Natural Selection Captain FitzRoy = Captain of the Beagle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon did Darwin observe regarding the species of South America?

<p>Fossils resembled living organisms more than European fossils. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Charles Darwin received a Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Cambridge.

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

In which year did Alfred Russell Wallace come up with the concept of Natural Selection independently?

<p>1858</p> Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle believed that organisms are fixed and __________.

<p>unchanging</p> Signup and view all the answers

George Cuvier is known for his theory of __________, suggesting that the Earth has been shaped by sudden, violent events.

<p>catastrophism</p> Signup and view all the answers

James Hutton proposed the concept of __________, emphasizing that gradual processes can lead to significant changes over time.

<p>gradualism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Charles Lyell's principle of __________ suggests that geological processes have remained consistent over time.

<p>uniformitarianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Carolus Linnaeus is known as the father of modern _____

<p>taxonomy</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Scala Naturae, or ladder of nature, was a concept associated with __________.

<p>Aristotle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Georges-Louis LeClerc proposed that species could improve or _____ after dispersal from their point of creation.

<p>degenerate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck suggested that organisms evolve through use and _____ characteristics.

<p>disuse</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thomas Malthus wrote an essay on 'the principle of _____.'

<p>population</p> Signup and view all the answers

Buffon was responsible for the acceptance of an '_____ Earth' concept.

<p>Old</p> Signup and view all the answers

Charles Darwin was born on February 12, ______.

<p>1809</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin's grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, believed in the possibility of passing ______ to offspring.

<p>traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mechanism of evolution described by Darwin is known as ______ Selection.

<p>Natural</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin noted adaptations to diverse ______.

<p>environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

Alfred Russell ______ developed a theory of Natural Selection independently before presenting it alongside Darwin's work.

<p>Wallace</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin hypothesized that the Galapagos Islands were colonized by a South American ______.

<p>species</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Natural Selection, those with favorable ______ will survive and reproduce better than others.

<p>traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

Darwin received a Bachelor's degree in ______ from Cambridge.

<p>Theology</p> Signup and view all the answers

What belief was held by proponents of the Strict Biblical View regarding organisms?

<p>Life is perfect as it is a creation of God. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept did George Cuvier propose to explain the fossil record?

<p>Catastrophism, suggesting that sudden events shape the Earth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

James Hutton's theory primarily focuses on which of the following?

<p>The gradual accumulation of changes over time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main idea behind Charles Lyell's Uniformitarianism?

<p>Natural processes are constant across geological time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle's Scala Naturae, where are simple organisms located?

<p>At the bottom rung of the ladder of nature. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What classification system did Carolus Linnaeus develop?

<p>Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which idea was proposed by Georges-Louis LeClerc, Comte de Buffon regarding species?

<p>Species can change over time through improvements or degeneration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck's view on how organisms evolve?

<p>Species change due to environmental adaptations and inheritance of acquired traits. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thomas Malthus's major contribution to evolutionary theory centered around what concept?

<p>The principle of population and its implications for resource limitation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents the views of Carolus Linnaeus regarding species similarities?

<p>Similarities among species were seen as God's pattern, not evidence of shared ancestry. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What idea did Erasmus Darwin propose regarding the evolution of species?

<p>All creatures come from one common organism and can pass traits to offspring. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which observation did Darwin make during his voyage on the Beagle regarding species?

<p>Fossils from South America resembled more closely living South American organisms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Darwin's hypothesis about the Galapagos Finches?

<p>They evolved from a South American species that adapted to local conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle regarding Natural Selection did Darwin propose?

<p>Only organisms with heritable variations can survive in their environments. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a significant contribution of Alfred Russell Wallace?

<p>He independently formulated the concept of Natural Selection. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Darwin's theory challenge the idea of government welfare?

<p>He argued it created a dependency that hindered natural selection. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what area did Darwin earn his bachelor's degree?

<p>Theology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What observation did Darwin make about the adaptation of South American species during his voyage?

<p>They adapted specifically to their local environments. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Linnaeus's Taxonomy

A hierarchical system for classifying organisms, grouping similar organisms into categories, developed by Carl Linnaeus.

Buffon's 'Old Earth'

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, proposed that Earth was much older than previously thought, and that species could change over time.

Lamarck's Evolution

Lamarck proposed that species change over time as organisms adapt to their environments and that such adaptations could be inherited by their offspring.

Malthus's Principle of Population

Malthus argued that human populations grow faster than resources, leading to competition for survival.

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Linnaeus vs. Aristotle

Linnaeus contradicted Aristotle's concept of a fixed and unchanging 'ladder of life' by proposing an organized system of species.

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Natural Selection

The mechanism by which evolution occurs; organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

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Heritable Variation

Differences in traits amongst individuals within a population that can be passed down to offspring.

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Overproduction of Offspring

Organisms produce more offspring than can possibly survive.

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Differential Survival and Reproduction

Individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce better than others.

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Galapagos Finches

Finches on the Galapagos Islands that adapted to different environments, leading to different species.

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Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

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Evolution

The gradual change in the characteristics of a species over many generations.

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Charles Darwin

English naturalist who developed the theory of natural selection.

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Scala Naturae

Aristotle's concept of a hierarchy of life, with simple organisms at the bottom and more complex organisms at the top.

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Catastrophism

The idea that Earth's history is shaped by sudden, large-scale events like floods or volcanic eruptions.

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Uniformitarianism

The principle that the same natural laws and processes that operate in the present also operated in the past and at the same rate.

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Gradualism

The idea that major changes result from the accumulation of many small changes over a very long period of time.

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Paleontology

The study of fossils, used to learn about past life and how it has changed.

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Aristotle's View of Life

Aristotle believed that species were fixed and unchanging, arranged in a hierarchy from simple to complex organisms. This view was known as "Scala Naturae" (ladder of nature).

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Strict Biblical View of Life

This view held that all life was created by God and thus perfect. It believed that organisms did not change, and adaptations were seen as God's design.

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Binomial Nomenclature

A system of naming organisms using two words: the genus name and the species name (e.g., Homo sapiens).

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Unity of Type

The idea that all organisms share fundamental similarities in their anatomy, suggesting a common ancestry.

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Use and Disuse

Lamarck's theory that organisms develop traits through frequent use, and lose traits through lack of use, which can be passed down to offspring.

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Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

Lamarck's theory that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed down to its offspring.

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Darwin's Grandfather's Contribution

Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather, believed that traits could be passed on to offspring and that all living things originated from a single organism. He also suggested that organisms adapt to their environments and pass these adaptations on to their offspring.

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The Beagle's Voyage

Charles Darwin's journey on the HMS Beagle, lasting five years, took him primarily to South America. He observed remarkable adaptations in organisms to different environments, leading him to question the immutability of species.

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Darwin's Observations

Darwin observed that temperate South American species were more similar to tropical South American species than to temperate European species. He also noted that fossils from South America resembled living South American organisms more closely than European fossils, highlighting the unique species found on different continents.

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Natural Selection: Heritable Variation

Natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. It starts with the premise that there's variation within a population, and this variation is inheritable. This means offspring can inherit the traits of their parents.

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Natural Selection: Overproduction

Organisms produce more offspring than can possibly survive. This creates competition for resources like food and shelter.

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Natural Selection: Survival and Reproduction

Organisms with traits that make them better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits onto their offspring.

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Natural Selection: Accumulation of Favorable Traits

Over time, as organisms with beneficial traits survive and reproduce more successfully, those traits become more common in the population, leading to the gradual evolution of species.

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Cuvier's Fossil Observation

George Cuvier noticed that fossils in deeper rock layers were less similar to modern creatures than those in newer layers, suggesting extinction.

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Linnaeus's Classification

A hierarchical system for classifying organisms, grouping similar organisms into categories, developed by Carl Linnaeus. He grouped similar organisms into categories, like kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

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Malthus's Population Principle

British economist Thomas Malthus argued that human populations grow faster than resources, leading to competition for survival.

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Population Growth vs. Resources

The idea that populations tend to grow faster than the resources available to sustain them, leading to competition for survival.

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Darwin's Grandfather's Legacy

Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather, proposed that organisms adapt to their environment and pass these adaptations on to their offspring.

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Voyage of the Beagle: South America

Darwin's 5-year journey on the HMS Beagle, primarily focusing on South America, provided observations that challenged the idea of unchanging species.

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Temperate vs. Tropical Species

Darwin observed that temperate South American species resembled tropical South American species more than temperate European species, suggesting common ancestry.

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Galapagos Finches: Adaptation

Darwin hypothesized that Galapagos finches, originating from a South American species, evolved to adapt to different environments over time.

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Natural Selection: Survival of the Fittest

Individuals with traits that help them survive and reproduce better in their environment are more likely to pass on those traits to their offspring.

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Study Notes

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

  • Believed organisms were fixed and unchanging
  • Proposed the Scala Naturae (ladder of nature)
  • Placed simple organisms at the bottom
  • His views lasted for almost 2 millennia

Strict Biblical View

  • Believed all life was created by God and was perfect
  • Thought organisms did not change
  • Adaptations from environment were seen as God's cleverness

Fossils

  • Fossilization was not studied until the 1700s

George Cuvier (1762-1832)

  • First paleontologist
  • Noted fossils in deeper strata differed more from extant creatures than those in newer strata
  • Concluded that Earth's history was shaped by sudden, short-lived, widespread events (Catastrophism)

James Hutton (1726-1797)

  • Scottish Geologist
  • Proposed that gradual, ongoing processes could create significant changes over time
  • Stated that change was a product of slow, continuous processes (Gradualism)

Charles Lyell (1797-1875)

  • Scottish Geologist
  • Supported the concept of uniformitarianism
  • Believed that the same natural laws and processes operating today also operated in the past at the same rate.

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)

  • Swedish botanist considered the "father of modern taxonomy"
  • Created a hierarchical system for classifying organisms (Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species)
  • His system reflected God's pattern, not shared ancestry

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788)

  • Recognized that species could change over time and argued that species improved or degenerated
  • Developed the concept of "unity of type"
  • Recognized the Earth is far older than previously considered

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829)

  • French Naturalist
  • Noted adaptations to environments
  • Proposed that gradual changes could explain the fossil record

Thomas Malthus (1766-1834)

  • British economist and teacher
  • Wrote an essay on population
  • Argued that human populations grow faster than resources, leading to competition and struggle for survival
  • This was later adopted into evolution theory

Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802)

  • Charles Darwin's grandfather
  • Believed in traits being passed down through heredity.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

  • English naturalist
  • Made observations and collected data during the voyage of the Beagle (5 years)
  • Noticed adaptation to diverse environments and that species from the same continent were more closely related to each other, and there were similarities between fossils and living organisms
  • Researched Galapagos finches, concluding similar species originated from a common ancestor from a different continent.

Alfred Russell Wallace

  • Proposed Natural Selection independently from Darwin
  • Presented a paper on his work to the Linnean Society of London in 1858.

Major Principles of On the Origin of Species

  • Species originated from descendent ancestral species
  • Evolution and change is mechanism of Natural Selection

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History of Evolutionary Thought PDF

Description

Explore the foundational theories of evolution, from Aristotle's fixed organisms to the catastrophic ideas of George Cuvier. This quiz covers key figures in geology and paleontology, their beliefs about life's changes, and the significance of fossils. Test your understanding of how these concepts shaped our view of life on Earth.

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