Geological History and Evidence for Evolution

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Questions and Answers

What does Modern Synthetic Theories of Evolution combine to provide a comprehensive understanding of evolution?

  • Darwinism and the idea of extinction
  • Darwinism and Mendelian genetics including mutations (correct)
  • Creationism and fossil evidence
  • Lamarckism and environmental adaptations

Who is associated with the development of the Modern Synthetic Theories of Evolution?

  • Georges Cuvier
  • Julian Huxley (correct)
  • Lamarck
  • Charles Darwin

What is the fundamental principle of the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?

  • Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein (correct)
  • Proteins can replicate DNA
  • DNA and proteins evolve through natural selection
  • RNA can transform directly into DNA

Which of the following concepts is rejected by the idea of 'immutability of species'?

<p>Evolution through natural selection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Neo-Darwinism differ from classic Darwinism?

<p>It incorporates Mendelian genetics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'theory of catastrophes' refer to in the context of fossils?

<p>Fossils indicate recurring violent and natural events leading to species destruction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does creationism fundamentally oppose?

<p>Natural processes of evolution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately characterizes Lamarck's theory of evolution?

<p>It asserts that traits acquired during an organism's life can be inherited (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution emphasize as a source of genetic diversity within a population?

<p>Random mutations and recombination of genes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of 'isolation' in the context of evolution?

<p>It prevents the exchange of genetic material between populations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does 'selection' influence the characteristics of a population?

<p>It favors individuals with advantageous traits, enhancing their frequency. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of random mutations in evolution?

<p>They create new traits that can either be beneficial or harmful. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'recombination of genes' in the context of evolution?

<p>It creates new combinations of alleles through sexual reproduction. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which variation is categorized as discontinuous variation?

<p>Blood group in a population (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'population' refer to in the context of the Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution?

<p>A group of organisms of the same species that interbreed. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the concept of variation in a population?

<p>Variation can be continuous or discontinuous depending on the trait. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Archaeopteryx important in the study of evolution?

<p>It serves as a transitional fossil between dinosaurs and modern birds. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a 'living fossil'?

<p>A species that has remained unchanged over millions of years despite its ancient lineage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Coelacanths are considered living fossils because they demonstrate what feature?

<p>Lobe fins that are similar in structure to tetrapod legs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes homologous structures?

<p>Structures that share a similar origin but have evolved different functions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'analogous structures' refer to?

<p>Structures that are similar in function but different in origin. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Linnaeus and his theory of species is correct?

<p>He thought species were immutable and did not change over time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Curvier's theory suggested that Earth's features were shaped primarily by what process?

<p>Sudden, catastrophic events that were short-lived. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the significance of the Platypus in evolutionary biology?

<p>It represents the only mammal that lays eggs and possesses venom. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fossils and Evolution

Fossils show that species are often destroyed and replaced by new species as a result of various natural events.

Lamarck's Evolution

Organisms change their behavior in response to environmental changes, which in turn modifies their bodies and the traits passed to their offspring.

Darwin's Evolution

Variation in organisms is inherited and those with advantageous traits survive and reproduce, driving evolution.

Neo-Darwinism

A combined theory of evolution that integrates Darwin's theory with ideas of mutations and genetics.

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Modern Synthetic Theories of Evolution

A comprehensive explanation of evolution incorporating Neo-Darwinism and other key concepts.

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Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins, in a one-way direction.

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Immutability of Species

The belief that species cannot change over time and were created as they are today.

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Catastrophism

The theory that fossils show species are repeatedly destroyed and replaced by others in natural catastrophes, but that species were created in those same events.

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Population

A group of organisms of the same species that interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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Individual

A single member of a population.

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Mutation

Sudden changes in genes passed from parents to offspring. Can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

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Recombination

New combinations of genes/alleles resulting from sexual reproduction.

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Selection (in evolution)

Favourable traits/characteristics are selected for by environmental pressures.

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Variation

Differences between individuals within a population, can be continuous (e.g., height) or discontinuous (e.g., blood type).

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Isolation (in evolution)

Factors that divide a large population into smaller, isolated groups, potentially leading to the formation of new species.

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Origin of Species

The process by which new species are formed. Often a result of evolution.

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Transitional Fossil

A fossil that shows intermediate traits between two different groups of organisms, highlighting the evolutionary process

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What makes Archaeopteryx a transitional fossil?

Archaeopteryx combines reptilian features like teeth and a bony tail with avian features like feathers and wings, indicating its link between dinosaurs and modern birds.

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Living Fossil

A species existing today, but whose ancestors were abundant in the past, and that has remained relatively unchanged morphologically over millions of years

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What makes Coelacanths a living fossil?

Coelacanths have evolved slowly, retaining lobe fins similar to those found in early tetrapods that evolved into land-walking vertebrates, showcasing the link between fish and land animals.

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Homologous Structures

Structures that are similar in anatomy but have different functions. These indicate shared ancestry

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Analogous Structures

Structures that have similar functions but different evolutionary origins. These indicate convergent evolution

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Linnaeus' View on Species

Linnaeus believed that species were fixed and unchanging (immutability) which meant they could not evolve over time.

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Curvier's Catastrophism

The theory that Earth was shaped by sudden, violent events, with each event replacing existing species with new ones.

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Study Notes

Geological History

  • Earth's age: 4.54 billion years
  • Eons (in order from oldest to youngest): Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic
  • Eras (in order): Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
  • Paleozoic Era (541-252 million years ago): characterized by invertebrates, amphibians, fishes, and first life on land.
  • Mesozoic Era (251.9-66 million years ago): age of reptiles, including dinosaurs. Pangaea separated, and the third mass extinction occurred.
  • Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago to present): mammals, birds, flowering plants, and human evolution dominated. The sixth mass extinction is ongoing.

Evidence for Evolution

  • Fossils: remains or traces of organisms from the past.
  • Types of Fossils:
    • Remains (body fossils): actual organism remains, like bone or teeth. Imprints, inclusions, and fossilization are also sub-types of remain fossils.
    • Trace fossils: evidence of an organism's activity, like footprints, burrows, or coprolites.
  • Fossil Formation: rapid burial, decay of soft parts, mineral replacement, uplift of land.
  • Relative Dating: fossils in lower layers are older than fossils in upper layers.
  • Absolute Dating: methods to get a precise numerical age based on radioactive dating.
  • Transitional Fossils: intermediate forms linking different groups oforganisms. Examples include Archaeopteryx, Coelacanth, and Platypus.
  • Homologous Structures: similar structures with different functions, suggesting common ancestry, such as limbs of humans, cats, whales, bats.
  • Analogous Structures: similar function, different structure, signaling separate evolutionary paths, such as wings of bats and birds.

Theories of Evolution

  • Immutability of species: the idea species do not change over time (Linnaeus)
  • Catastrophism: Earth's history is shaped by sudden, short, violent events (Cuvier)
  • Lamarck's Theory: Organisms adapt to their environment and these adaptations are passed to their offspring.
  • Darwin's Theory: Natural selection: variation, inheritance, struggle for survival, differential reproduction.
  • Neo-Darwinism: combines Darwin's natural selection with genetics and mutations.
  • Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution (MSTOE): unifies Neo-Darwinism with other concepts and modern understanding.
  • Speciation: Formation of new species; through geographic isolation, etc.

Variability and Selection

  • Industrial Melanism (peppered moth): example of natural selection due to pollution and changes in the environment.
  • Isolation: separates populations from interbreeding and can drive evolutionary change and speciation.
  • Adaptation: traits that improve survival and reproduction in a specific environment, such as Darwin's finches.
  • Population: group of organisms of the same species in a given area.

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