Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary explanation for the diversity and unity of living organisms according to evolutionary theory?
What is the primary explanation for the diversity and unity of living organisms according to evolutionary theory?
- Artificial selection and habitat adaptation
- Random mutations and environmental changes
- Genetic engineering and selective breeding
- Natural selection and descent with modification (correct)
What is an accurate description of natural selection?
What is an accurate description of natural selection?
- The process where organisms adapt to their environment through artificial means
- A mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to reproduce (correct)
- A gradual change in all species over time due to genetic drift
- The theory that species do not change over time
How do homologous structures support the theory of evolution?
How do homologous structures support the theory of evolution?
- By showing that all organisms have identical bone structures regardless of function
- By highlighting common ancestry among different species through similar anatomical structures (correct)
- By demonstrating that unrelated species can develop similar features independently
- By illustrating the changes in species due to environmental factors alone
Which of the following best describes an adaptation in the context of evolution?
Which of the following best describes an adaptation in the context of evolution?
What role does artificial selection play in understanding evolution?
What role does artificial selection play in understanding evolution?
What are vestigial organs indicative of in evolutionary biology?
What are vestigial organs indicative of in evolutionary biology?
Which type of evidence directly involves observable changes in species over time?
Which type of evidence directly involves observable changes in species over time?
What must occur for evolution by natural selection to take place?
What must occur for evolution by natural selection to take place?
Flashcards
Evolutionary Theory as Scientific Theory
Evolutionary Theory as Scientific Theory
Evolutionary theory, like other scientific theories, is well-supported by evidence.
Pre-Darwinian View of Species
Pre-Darwinian View of Species
Before Darwin, species were often believed to be unchanging and created independently.
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
Organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Descent with Modification
Descent with Modification
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Adaptation
Adaptation
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Artificial Selection
Artificial Selection
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Homologous Structures
Homologous Structures
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Vestigial Organs
Vestigial Organs
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Study Notes
Evolutionary Theory & Natural Selection
- Evolutionary theory is a scientific theory explaining the diversity of life through descent with modification
- Pre-Darwinian views of species were static and unchanging
- Darwin's ideas aligned with current views, demonstrating that species change over time.
- Natural selection is the process where individuals better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits.
- Natural selection explains both the unity and diversity of life.
- Adaptations are traits that improve an organism's survival and reproductive success in a specific environment.
- Artificial selection is the selective breeding of organisms by humans for desirable traits, demonstrating that evolution occurs through selective pressure.
- Evidence for evolution includes direct observations, homology (anatomical, developmental, and molecular), fossils, and biogeography.
Direct Observations
- Direct observations show how organisms adapt and change over relatively short periods.
- Example: antibiotic resistance in bacteria evolves quickly due to selection for traits that confer immunity to the drugs.
Homology
- Homologous structures show common ancestry.
- Similar structures in different organisms with a shared evolutionary history.
- Homologous structures support evolution because of the presence of shared characteristics.
- Vestigial structures are remnants of features that served important functions in ancestral organisms but no longer have a clear function.
- Vestigial structures provide examples of evolutionary relationships.
- Analogous structures show convergent evolution.
- Convergent evolution occurs when different species independently develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.
- Developmental homologies: similarities in embryonic development provide evidence of common ancestry.
- Molecular homologies show common ancestry through the similarities in DNA or protein sequences.
Fossils
- Fossils show the history of life on Earth and how species have evolved over time.
- Gaps in the fossil record are explained by incomplete fossil preservation and the difficulty of finding complete and representative specimens.
- Gaps do not disprove evolution, rather highlight the incomplete nature of the fossil record.
- Biogeography studies the geographic distribution of organisms.
- Distribution patterns support evolution, with present species reflecting events in their evolutionary history.
Human Skin Color
- Skin color is an example of natural selection.
- UV light levels, skin color, and human migration have a relationship, relating skin color to UV levels in different geographical areas.
- Skin color is a trait that has adapted to different environmental conditions.
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