Podcast
Questions and Answers
As part of the scientific method or process, a hypothesis __________.
As part of the scientific method or process, a hypothesis __________.
leads to experimentation to support or refute it
________________ is critical to establishing a hypothesis that can be tested.
________________ is critical to establishing a hypothesis that can be tested.
Deduction
____________ is critical to good science.
____________ is critical to good science.
Testing
Using new evidence, scientists can __________ a previously held hypothesis.
Using new evidence, scientists can __________ a previously held hypothesis.
In the scientific method, _______ precedes the formulation of every hypothesis.
In the scientific method, _______ precedes the formulation of every hypothesis.
The origins of western scientific thinking are often attributed to the _________.
The origins of western scientific thinking are often attributed to the _________.
Science in the Middle Ages followed the political, spiritual, and legal norms established by ________.
Science in the Middle Ages followed the political, spiritual, and legal norms established by ________.
Which of the following is NOT true of Aristotle's 'Great Chain of Being'?
Which of the following is NOT true of Aristotle's 'Great Chain of Being'?
Linnaeus is credited for the classification scheme that biological scientists still use today. The units in this formal hierarchy are known as __________.
Linnaeus is credited for the classification scheme that biological scientists still use today. The units in this formal hierarchy are known as __________.
The Church's stance accepting that Indians of the New World shared a common creation with men of the Old World helped advance the idea of ______________.
The Church's stance accepting that Indians of the New World shared a common creation with men of the Old World helped advance the idea of ______________.
When Georges Cuvier proposed the theory of catastrophism, the event he had in mind was ___________.
When Georges Cuvier proposed the theory of catastrophism, the event he had in mind was ___________.
The discovery of _______________ made it difficult for biblically driven scholars to deny changes during the history of the Earth.
The discovery of _______________ made it difficult for biblically driven scholars to deny changes during the history of the Earth.
Lamarckianism involves the idea that creatures in the wild acquire traits by means of __________.
Lamarckianism involves the idea that creatures in the wild acquire traits by means of __________.
The idea that geological processes today are the same as those in the past, and that slow, gradual change is the norm, is associated with which of the following?
The idea that geological processes today are the same as those in the past, and that slow, gradual change is the norm, is associated with which of the following?
Trofim Lysenko campaigned to store the Soviet Union's wheat at low temperatures to make the seeds cold-tolerant. This experiment represented an attempt to apply the notion of __________ to agriculture.
Trofim Lysenko campaigned to store the Soviet Union's wheat at low temperatures to make the seeds cold-tolerant. This experiment represented an attempt to apply the notion of __________ to agriculture.
The diversification of one founding species into multiple species is termed __________.
The diversification of one founding species into multiple species is termed __________.
Natural selection, as described by Darwin, acts upon variation, the raw source of which is ____________, which is a concept Darwin did not understand.
Natural selection, as described by Darwin, acts upon variation, the raw source of which is ____________, which is a concept Darwin did not understand.
The process that favors the survival of the most reproductively fit organisms is known as __________.
The process that favors the survival of the most reproductively fit organisms is known as __________.
Darwinian fitness refers to which of the following?
Darwinian fitness refers to which of the following?
While Darwin accepted the concept of __________ and the unit of selection as the __________, Wallace did not.
While Darwin accepted the concept of __________ and the unit of selection as the __________, Wallace did not.
Many scientists held views related to evolution before Darwin, but he provided the ____________ behind it.
Many scientists held views related to evolution before Darwin, but he provided the ____________ behind it.
The church and religious people were outraged at Darwin for suggesting that existence was __________.
The church and religious people were outraged at Darwin for suggesting that existence was __________.
Why was Louis Agassiz, whose own work was rendered obsolete by Darwin, a very aggressive opponent of the idea of natural selection?
Why was Louis Agassiz, whose own work was rendered obsolete by Darwin, a very aggressive opponent of the idea of natural selection?
Darwin's general lack of understanding of _____________ forced him to admit that Neo-Lamarckians may be right about what they proposed.
Darwin's general lack of understanding of _____________ forced him to admit that Neo-Lamarckians may be right about what they proposed.
The full weight and influence of Darwin's theory was not felt until the 1940s and 1950s, when ____________ integrated Darwinian evolution and other fields of biology.
The full weight and influence of Darwin's theory was not felt until the 1940s and 1950s, when ____________ integrated Darwinian evolution and other fields of biology.
The belief in a single creative force in the universe is ____________.
The belief in a single creative force in the universe is ____________.
Which of the following claims does Michael Behe, a biologist and advocate of intelligent design, make?
Which of the following claims does Michael Behe, a biologist and advocate of intelligent design, make?
Evolution and creationism conflict in their origin stories of humanity. A creationist's view of the origin of humans relies on an Earth that is ____________.
Evolution and creationism conflict in their origin stories of humanity. A creationist's view of the origin of humans relies on an Earth that is ____________.
The issue that scientists have with teaching religion in public schools is not based on a disrespect of religion but on whether _______________________.
The issue that scientists have with teaching religion in public schools is not based on a disrespect of religion but on whether _______________________.
What is an important difference between the theory of natural selection and intelligent design?
What is an important difference between the theory of natural selection and intelligent design?
What is the gathering of scientific information by watching a phenomenon?
What is the gathering of scientific information by watching a phenomenon?
What is a conclusion that follows logically from a set of observations?
What is a conclusion that follows logically from a set of observations?
What is a preliminary explanation of a phenomenon?
What is a preliminary explanation of a phenomenon?
What is the testing of a hypothesis?
What is the testing of a hypothesis?
What is the scientific evidence produced by an experiment or by observation, from which scientific conclusions are made?
What is the scientific evidence produced by an experiment or by observation, from which scientific conclusions are made?
What is standard scientific research procedure in which a hypothesis is stated, data are collected to test it, and the hypothesis is either supported or refuted?
What is standard scientific research procedure in which a hypothesis is stated, data are collected to test it, and the hypothesis is either supported or refuted?
What is able to be shown to be false?
What is able to be shown to be false?
What is a conceptual framework useful for understanding a body of evidence?
What is a conceptual framework useful for understanding a body of evidence?
What is an ancient belief that people are derived from multiple creations?
What is an ancient belief that people are derived from multiple creations?
What is an ancient belief that all people are derived from a single creation?
What is an ancient belief that all people are derived from a single creation?
What is the science of biological classification?
What is the science of biological classification?
What is the Linnaean naming system for all organisms, consisting of a genus and species label?
What is the Linnaean naming system for all organisms, consisting of a genus and species label?
What is a group of organisms assigned to a particular category?
What is a group of organisms assigned to a particular category?
What is the theory that there have been multiple creations interspersed by great natural disasters such as Noah's flood?
What is the theory that there have been multiple creations interspersed by great natural disasters such as Noah's flood?
What is the discredited theory of evolutionary change proposing that changes that occur during the lifetime of an individual, through use or disuse, can be passed on to the next generation?
What is the discredited theory of evolutionary change proposing that changes that occur during the lifetime of an individual, through use or disuse, can be passed on to the next generation?
What is the Soviet-era research program that tried to apply Lamarckian thinking to agricultural production?
What is the Soviet-era research program that tried to apply Lamarckian thinking to agricultural production?
What is the theory that the same gradual geological process we observe today was operating in the past?
What is the theory that the same gradual geological process we observe today was operating in the past?
What is the distribution of animals and plants on Earth?
What is the distribution of animals and plants on Earth?
What is the diversification of one founding species into multiple species and niches?
What is the diversification of one founding species into multiple species and niches?
What is differential reproductive success over multiple generations?
What is differential reproductive success over multiple generations?
What are body parts that seem to serve no modern purpose and have, therefore, atrophied?
What are body parts that seem to serve no modern purpose and have, therefore, atrophied?
What is reproductive success?
What is reproductive success?
What is an interbreeding group of organisms?
What is an interbreeding group of organisms?
What is an alteration in the DNA, which may or may not alter the function of a cell?
What is an alteration in the DNA, which may or may not alter the function of a cell?
What is a creationist attempt to refute the evidence of evolution?
What is a creationist attempt to refute the evidence of evolution?
What is a creationist school of thought that proposes that natural selection cannot account for the diversity and complexity of form and function seen in nature?
What is a creationist school of thought that proposes that natural selection cannot account for the diversity and complexity of form and function seen in nature?
Science is considered a _________ guided by observation and deduction leading to a testable hypothesis.
Science is considered a _________ guided by observation and deduction leading to a testable hypothesis.
Science is empirical and relies on _______ and ________.
Science is empirical and relies on _______ and ________.
The Renaissance was important for the development of science because it was a time when __________.
The Renaissance was important for the development of science because it was a time when __________.
In 1610, Galileo Galilei was accused of heresy by the Catholic Church for presenting evidence for what revolutionary idea?
In 1610, Galileo Galilei was accused of heresy by the Catholic Church for presenting evidence for what revolutionary idea?
Linnaeus' system of classification of plants and animals was innovative in the sense that it __________.
Linnaeus' system of classification of plants and animals was innovative in the sense that it __________.
The Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics was discredited because it was found that evolutionary change within a given species actually __________.
The Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics was discredited because it was found that evolutionary change within a given species actually __________.
What observations had Malthus made that influenced Darwin's thinking?
What observations had Malthus made that influenced Darwin's thinking?
The animals of the Galapagos Islands were important in Darwin's thinking because of __________.
The animals of the Galapagos Islands were important in Darwin's thinking because of __________.
The Galapagos were the perfect setting for Darwin to observe the effects of evolution because they were __________.
The Galapagos were the perfect setting for Darwin to observe the effects of evolution because they were __________.
Which of the following did Darwin and Wallace both agree on?
Which of the following did Darwin and Wallace both agree on?
A major obstacle for Darwin and his predecessors regarding their ideas about evolution and natural selection was the ______________.
A major obstacle for Darwin and his predecessors regarding their ideas about evolution and natural selection was the ______________.
A ___________ is a conceptual framework used by scientists to understand a body of evidence.
A ___________ is a conceptual framework used by scientists to understand a body of evidence.
If the design of humans is supernatural, as claimed by intelligent design advocates, then which of the following statements is true?
If the design of humans is supernatural, as claimed by intelligent design advocates, then which of the following statements is true?
The development of powerful telescopes and the work on motion and gravity by Kepler and Newton resulted in the Church abandoning its position regarding __________.
The development of powerful telescopes and the work on motion and gravity by Kepler and Newton resulted in the Church abandoning its position regarding __________.
Which of the following developments during the Renaissance helped to establish scientific thinking in Europe?
Which of the following developments during the Renaissance helped to establish scientific thinking in Europe?
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Study Notes
Scientific Method and Hypothesis
- A hypothesis leads to experimentation aimed at supporting or refuting it.
- Deduction is essential for establishing testable hypotheses.
- Testing is a critical component of sound scientific practice.
- Observation is the prerequisite for formulating every hypothesis.
- Data refers to the scientific evidence gathered from experiments or observations.
Historical Context of Evolutionary Thought
- The ancient Greeks are credited with the origins of Western scientific thinking.
- Science during the Middle Ages was heavily influenced by the Catholic Church.
- Aristotle’s "Great Chain of Being" arranged organisms hierarchically but incorrectly suggested biological relationships were immutable.
Classification and Early Theories
- Linnaeus developed a classification scheme still used today, with taxons as the units.
- Monogenism was supported by the Church's acceptance of a common origin for Old and New World inhabitants.
- Cuvier introduced the theory of catastrophism, linking it to significant events like Noah's flood.
Evolution and Natural Selection
- Lamarck proposed that species acquire traits through need and use, a concept now discredited.
- The gradual geological processes theory, uniformitarianism, posits that current processes are consistent with those in the past.
- Adaptive radiation describes the diversification from one founding species into multiple forms.
Darwin's Contributions and Controversies
- Natural selection is defined as the process favoring the survival of the most reproductively fit organisms.
- Darwinian fitness measures reproductive success; variation arises from mutation, a concept not understood by Darwin.
- Wallace differed from Darwin regarding units of selection, favoring the species level over the individual.
Social and Religious Reactions
- Darwin's suggestion of a random existence outraged many religious individuals and institutions.
- Critics like Louis Agassiz opposed natural selection due to its exclusion of a divine creator.
- The rejection of evolution by some religious groups led to conflicts in educational curricula, emphasizing the importance of a scientific framework in schools.
Key Concepts in Evolutionary Biology
- Falsifiability is crucial for scientific hypotheses, while paradigms help interpret bodies of evidence.
- Vestigial organs represent atrophied structures that once had functions in ancestors.
- Mutation refers to changes in DNA, with potential evolutionary outcomes based on whether they occur in gametes.
Evolution vs. Creationism
- Creationism is based on the belief in a single force creating life, conflicting with scientific explanations of human origins.
- Intelligent design argues that natural selection cannot sufficiently account for life’s complexity and promotes a compatibility between science and faith.
Impact of Historical Developments
- The Renaissance fostered scientific thinking by exposing scholars to cultural and biological diversity.
- Galileo's assertion of a heliocentric solar system challenged doctrinal teachings and led to significant religious backlash.
- Discoveries during the Renaissance expanded understanding of natural variation and facilitated advancements in scientific inquiry.
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