History of Evolutionary Theory Lecture 1 Study Questions
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Questions and Answers

Nicolaus Steno was the father of modern taxonomy.

False

The theory of evolution by natural selection was first conceived by Charles Darwin and Thomas Malthus.

False

The idea of homology is most closely associated with the theory of gradualism.

False

Evolution can happen without any variation in the population.

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

Mutation by itself is not an important factor in evolution.

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

Inbreeding has a positive impact on the genetic structure of a population.

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

Thomas Malthus is best known for his idea that evolution occurs through natural selection.

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

The person who first accurately described fossils as remnants of things that lived in the past was Charles Darwin.

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

Darwin's idea of natural selection was influenced by the concept of uniformitarianism put forward by Charles Lyell and James Hutton.

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

Evolution can be considered a fact because it is a proven and unchanging scientific theory.

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

What are the assumptions for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

<p>Random mating, no natural selection, large population, no mutation, and no migration</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium undergoes a round of random mating, what happens to the allele and genotype frequencies?

<p>They remain unchanged</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is microevolution?

<p>Evolution occurring on a small scale within a single population</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can evolution happen without variation in the population? Why or why not?

<p>No, because genetic variation is necessary for natural selection and adaptation to occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an allele?

<p>A specific form of a gene that codes for a particular trait</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is mutation by itself an important factor in evolution?

<p>Yes, because mutations are the primary source of genetic variation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection? Is it random? What is the outcome of natural selection?

<p>The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary changes; It is non-random; The outcome is adaptation of the population to its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an adaptation?

<p>A characteristic that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in its environment due to its genetic composition</p> Signup and view all the answers

The phrase “modern synthesis” refers to:

<p>The integration of genetics with Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is mutation a force of evolution? Is it weak or strong? Why?

<p>Mutation introduces genetic variation which can be acted upon by natural selection; It is weak because most mutations are harmful or neutral</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is inbreeding?

<p>A type of non-random mating that increases homozygosity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of inbreeding on the genetic structure of a population?

<p>Increases the frequency of homozygous individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two kinds of non-random mating?

<p>Assortative mating and inbreeding</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is evolutionary fitness?

<p>The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is mutation by itself an important factor in evolution?

<p>Yes, mutation alone drives most evolutionary changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is inbreeding?

<p>The process of mating closely related individuals within a population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does inbreeding impact the genetic structure of a population?

<p>It decreases genetic diversity and increases the risk of inherited genetic disorders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of extensive inbreeding within a population?

<p>Decreased fitness and survival rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of evolution, how does inbreeding affect the probability of expressing harmful recessive traits?

<p>It increases the probability due to the presence of identical genetic material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of inbreeding on the overall health and viability of a population?

<p>It leads to reduced overall health and viability due to genetic homogeneity and increased disease susceptibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is inbreeding?

<p>The mating of individuals that are closely related</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about inbreeding?

<p>It always leads to increased genetic diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does inbreeding affect the genetic makeup of a population?

<p>It increases the frequency of rare alleles</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of inbreeding in a population?

<p>Increased expression of deleterious traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is inbreeding a challenge to the biological species concept (BSC)?

<p>It weakens the reproductive isolation between species</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is inbreeding?

<p>The mating of closely related individuals within a population</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does inbreeding have on the genetic structure of a population?

<p>It promotes heterozygosity in the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does inbreeding differ from intersexual selection?

<p>Inbreeding involves mating between closely related individuals, while intersexual selection involves differential mating based on certain traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is inbreeding generally considered detrimental to populations?

<p>It can result in the expression of harmful recessive traits and reduce genetic diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when it comes to inbreeding depression?

<p>The decreased genetic diversity within the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolution and Speciation

  • Darker coat color in pocket mice provides camouflage from predators, illustrating natural selection favoring this trait.
  • Sexual dimorphism is exemplified in deer where males are three times larger than females, likely due to sexual selection.

Species Concepts

  • A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
  • The morphospecies concept classifies species based on morphological similarities; strengths include ease of identification, while weaknesses involve potential misclassification of cryptic species.
  • The biological species concept defines species as groups of interbreeding natural populations; strengths include reproductive isolation criteria, but weaknesses involve difficulty assessing asexual organisms.

Isolation Mechanisms

  • Prezygotic isolating mechanisms prevent mating or fertilization:

    • Temporal isolation: Species breed at different times.
    • Habitat isolation: Species occupy different habitats.
    • Behavioral isolation: Distinct mating rituals.
    • Mechanical isolation: Incompatible reproductive structures.
    • Gametic isolation: Sperm and egg incompatibility.

  • Postzygotic isolating mechanisms occur after fertilization:

    • Hybrid inviability: Hybrids fail to develop or reach maturity.
    • Hybrid sterility: Hybrids are sterile (e.g., mules).
    • Hybrid breakdown: Hybrids are fertile, but subsequent generations are weak or sterile.

Speciation

  • Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated, favoring divergent evolution.
  • Sympatric speciation occurs within overlapping geographic ranges, often through mechanisms like polyploidy in plants or niche differentiation.

Adaptive Radiation

  • Adaptive radiation is the rapid evolution of diverse species from a common ancestor to fill different ecological niches.
  • An example includes Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands adapting to varying food sources.

Vicariance

  • Vicariance refers to the geographical separation of populations due to environmental changes.
  • An example is the formation of land barriers, such as mountains or rivers, leading to species differentiation.

Hybridization Challenges

  • Hybridization challenges the biological species concept (BSC) as it may produce fertile offspring between distinct species, blurring species boundaries.

Evolutionary Evidence

  • Polar bears originated from a vicariant event, highlighting the role of geographical factors in evolution.
  • Thomas Malthus's ideas on population limits influenced Darwin's natural selection concepts.
  • Fossils, vestigial structures, and transitional forms provide evidence for evolution, showcasing the historical continuity of species.

Homology and Biogeography

  • Different kinds of homology include anatomical, developmental, and molecular homology, supporting evolutionary relationships.
  • Biogeography studies the distribution of species and can provide evidence of evolution in real time, exemplified by changes in species distribution following environmental shifts.

Historical Context of Evolutionary Theory

  • Idealism, advocated by Plato, underscored static views of life, contrasting with later evolutionary ideas.
  • Scala naturae, proposed by Aristotle, described a linear life form hierarchy, while binomial nomenclature was established by Carl Linnaeus for species naming.
  • Uniformitarianism, advocated by Hutton and Lyell, emphasized consistent geological processes that shaped Earth over time, crucial for understanding evolution.
  • Richard Owen's work laid the foundation for modern paleontology, emphasizing the significance of fossils in studying extinct species.

Scientific Inquiry

  • In scientific inquiry, a fact is an observation confirmed by evidence, while a hypothesis is an initial explanation.
  • A theory, like evolution, is a broad explanation supported by substantial evidence; it encompasses both factual support and the underlying mechanisms.

Darwin's Contributions

  • Charles Darwin, who earned a degree in theology, published "The Origin of Species" in 1859, introducing the theory of evolution by natural selection.
  • The "watchmaker analogy" illustrates complexity in nature, suggesting design and purpose.

Important Figures

  • Nicolaus Steno is recognized for principles of stratigraphy, while Richard Owen is significant for comparative anatomy and paleontology innovations.
  • Medieval views of nature were predominantly influenced by religious interpretations, leading to static biological concepts.

Conclusion

  • Parsimony in scientific explanations favors simplicity and commonality in assumptions when interpreting data and phenomena.

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Test your knowledge on the history of evolutionary theory with these study questions. Explore concepts such as idealism, scala naturae, binomial nomenclature, natural theology, gradualism, and more.

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