Origins of Evolutionary Thought

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes James Hutton's contribution to evolutionary thought?

  • He suggested that populations grow faster than their food supply, leading to competition.
  • He developed the theory of natural selection independently of Charles Darwin.
  • He proposed that geological processes occur gradually over vast periods of time. (correct)
  • He formulated the principle of uniformitarianism, stating that geological processes are static.

How did Thomas Malthus's ideas influence the development of evolutionary theory?

  • His studies on inheritance patterns provided a mechanism for evolutionary change.
  • His observations of fossil evidence supported the concept of species changing over time.
  • His geological discoveries established the age of the Earth was old enough for evolution.
  • His work suggested that organisms compete for limited resources, influencing natural selection. (correct)

What is the significance of Charles Lyell's 'Principles of Geology' in the context of evolutionary thought?

  • It introduced the concept of inheritance of acquired characteristics through use and disuse.
  • It demonstrated the ability of populations to increase exponentially leading to competition.
  • It asserted that Earth's geological features are the result of sudden catastrophic events.
  • It provided evidence that geological processes occur gradually, implying Earth's age is immense. (correct)

How did Charles Lyell's work influence Charles Darwin's thinking?

<p>Lyell's ideas about gradual geological change suggested that biological change could also be gradual. (B)</p>
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What observation led Darwin to believe that geological forces raised the seafloor rocks to a mountaintop?

<p>Finding seashell fossils at high elevations in the Andes mountains. (D)</p>
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Which of the following best describes Lamarck's theory of evolution?

<p>Organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. (B)</p>
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According to Lamarck's theory, why might a crab have a larger front claw?

<p>Repeated use of the claw for attracting mates and fighting predators. (A)</p>
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How does Darwin's explanation for the long necks of giraffes differ from Lamarck's?

<p>Darwin proposed giraffes with longer necks survived because they could reach more food. (B)</p>
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How did Alfred Wallace contribute to the theory of evolution?

<p>He independently developed a theory nearly identical to Darwin's. (C)</p>
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What was the nature of the "controversy" between Darwin and Wallace regarding the theory of evolution?

<p>They independently developed similar theories, leading to questions of priority and recognition. (A)</p>
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Who proposed that the world's population would increase faster than its food supply?

<p>Thomas Malthus (A)</p>
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What concept did Charles Lyell introduce that was important for evolutionary thought?

<p>The Earth is very old, and geological processes occur gradually over long periods. (D)</p>
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What is one key difference between Darwin and Wallace?

<p>Darwin was born affluent, while Wallace was born poor. (A)</p>
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What is the main idea behind Lyell's principle of geology?

<p>Past geological events can be explained by processes happening today. (C)</p>
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How did the discovery of seashells on top of mountains influence Darwin's thinking?

<p>It suggested that geological forces could raise land over great distances. (A)</p>
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According to Lamarck, what would happen to an organ if an organism stopped using it?

<p>It would shrink or disappear. (B)</p>
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Which of the following situations aligns with Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics?

<p>A blacksmith's son is born with strong arm muscles. (B)</p>
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What did Alfred Wallace say about natural selection improving a race?

<p>Natural selection improves a race, because the inferior are killed off. (A)</p>
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What did Darwin realize based on finding seashells on top of the mountains?

<p>Geological forces can raise the sea floor rocks to a mountaintop. (B)</p>
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Which of the following pair influenced Darwin?

<p>Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus (B)</p>
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A scientist observes that the average beak size of a bird population increases over several generations during a drought. Which explanation aligns with Lamarck's theory?

<p>Birds stretched their beaks to reach scarce food, passing it to offspring. (D)</p>
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Why do Ostrich and Penguin wings not function today?

<p>Lamarck's theory of use and disuse. (A)</p>
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What did Charles Lyell explain in his principles of geology?

<p>Past events can be explained in terms of processes that continue in the present. (A)</p>
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Which scientist is being quoted when we say "The form follows the function."?

<p>Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (D)</p>
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Is it true that Darwin and Lyell were best friends?

<p>True (C)</p>
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Why does Darwin trust Lyell in their friendship?

<p>Lyell is a naturalist and friend to Darwin. (B)</p>
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Why was Darwin amazed to find seashells on top of the mountains?

<p>Seashells shouldn't be on top of mountains. (C)</p>
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How many meters could earthquakes lift a strech of sea according to Darwin's thoughts?

<p>3 meters (D)</p>
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How did Wallace supply information to Darwin?

<p>Wallace supplied bird specimens. (B)</p>
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What was Alfred Wallace's previous vocation?

<p>Trapper (A)</p>
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Flashcards

Hutton's Geological Change Theory

Geological forces shaped Earth, very slowly forming rocks, mountains, valleys, and the sea floor over vast time scales.

Malthus' Population Principle

Human population will grow faster than the available food supply, leading to wars over resources.

Lyell's Principles of Geology

Explains past geological events using present-day processes like volcanoes and erosion.

Lamarck's Theory of Use and Disuse

Organisms enhance organs through use or shrink them through disuse.

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Lamarck's Use and Disuse - crab example

If front claw is used to attract mates and fight predators, it becomes LARGER!

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Darwin's Giraffe Explanation

Darwin believed giraffes with longer necks survived because they could reach limited food sources.

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Lamarck's Giraffe Explanation

Giraffes that stretched to reach leaves increased their neck length over time.

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Darwin and Wallace

Both Darwin and Wallace independently developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

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Alfred Wallace's Evolutionary Theory

Independently formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection, mirroring Darwin's ideas.

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Study Notes

Origins of Evolutionary Thought

  • Key figures in the origins of evolutionary thought include James Hutton, Thomas Malthus, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Charles Lyell, and Alfred Wallace

James Hutton's Theory of Geological Change

  • Geological forces like rain, heat, and climate shaped the Earth
  • Rocks, mountains, valleys, and the sea floor formed very slowly
  • The Earth is more than a few thousand years old

Thomas Malthus' Principle of Population

  • The human population will grow faster than the available food supply
  • Wars will occur over food, space, boundaries, and resources

Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology

  • Past events can be explained by processes that continue in the present
  • Volcanoes release lava and gas as they did in the past
  • Erosion continues to carve out canyons as it did in the past

Darwin and Lyell

  • Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin were best friends
  • Darwin trusted Lyell and discussed his observations with him
  • Darwin found seashells on top of mountains and earthquakes could have lifted a stretch of rocky shoreline more than 3 meters above its previous position
  • Geological forces raised the sea floor rocks to a mountaintop

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's Theory of Use and Disuse

  • The form follows the function
  • An organism's organ will be enhanced if it is always used
  • An organism's organ will shrink or disappear if it is not used
  • Wings of birds such as penguins and ostriches don't have wings to fly anymore
  • A male crab uses its front claw to attract mates and fight predators, and becomes larger from repeated use

Darwin vs. Lamarck (Giraffe Necks)

  • Darwin believed that two types of giraffes existed, but the short-necked giraffes died because they could not reach their food source
  • Only the long-necked giraffes were able to survive and reproduce successfully
  • Lamarck believed that giraffes continued to attempt to reach for tree leaves, and their necks increased in length over time

Alfred Wallace

  • The best-fitted live, escaping disease with health, enemies with strength, and famine with hunting or digestion skills
  • A self-acting process improves the race, as the inferior are killed off and the superior survive and the fittest would survive

Controversy Between Darwin and Wallace

  • Darwin and Wallace developed similar theories of natural selection
  • Darwin began formulating his theory in the late 1830s but worked quietly for twenty years, corresponding briefly with Wallace, an explorer in South America and Asia
  • Wallace sent Darwin his theory in 1858, which nearly replicated Darwin's own

Darwin vs. Wallace - Key Differences

  • Darwin lived from 1809-1882; Wallace lived from 1823-1913
  • Darwin was British; Wallace was Welsh
  • Darwin was born into affluence and died affluent; Wallace was born and died poor
  • Darwin was educated at Edinburgh and Cambridge; Wallace had a 3rd grade education at Hartford Grammar School
  • Darwin was a naturalist and writer; Wallace was a trapper and writer
  • Darwin was Unitarian but abandoned religion; Wallace had no religion

Darwin and Wallace - Contributions

  • Both Darwin and Wallace are important contributors to biology and it's knowledge
  • Wallace's theory is more advanced than Darwin's, but Darwin was more influential in making the theory acceptable to the intelligentsia

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