Theory of Evolution Overview
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of convergent evolution?

  • Examples include the giant anteater and echidna, or aerial rootlets in English ivy and wintercreeper
  • Two species from different lineages develop similar characteristics due to similar environments
  • The species are not closely related evolutionarily
  • The species are closely related evolutionarily (correct)

What is the defining characteristic of endemic species?

  • They have evolved through artificial selection
  • They are found only in a particular location (correct)
  • They are found on islands only
  • They are highly adapted to cold environments

What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

  • Natural selection is a process that occurs in nature, while artificial selection is a process that is controlled by humans
  • Natural selection occurs in all organisms, while artificial selection only occurs in domesticated species
  • Natural selection favors traits that increase an organism's fitness, while artificial selection favors traits that are desirable to humans (correct)
  • Natural selection involves changes over long periods of time, while artificial selection happens quickly

Which of the following is NOT an example of homology?

<p>The similar coloration of two different species of butterflies that inhabit the same forest (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key evidence for the evolutionary relationship between humans and other vertebrates?

<p>The similarities in the skeletal structures of the forelimbs of humans, bats, and whales (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the p53 gene being found in a diverse array of species?

<p>It provides evidence for the evolutionary relationship between different species, suggesting they share a common ancestor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?

<p>The tailbone of a human (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between orthologs and paralogs?

<p>Orthologs are found in the same species, while paralogs are found in different species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the similarity between the three largest chromosomes in humans and apes?

<p>They have a recent common ancestor. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the evolutionary significance of the difference between human chromosome 2 and the corresponding chromosomes in apes?

<p>It suggests that humans and apes diverged from a common ancestor. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can horizontal gene transfer be described?

<p>The transfer of genetic material between unrelated species. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the globin genes?

<p>Transporting oxygen throughout the body. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary significance of paralogs?

<p>They contribute to genetic diversity within a single species. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of beak diversity in Galapagos finches?

<p>Competition for limited food resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a transitional fossil?

<p>A fossil that shows features of both ancestral and descendant species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the evolutionary changes observed in the horse lineage?

<p>They highlight the role of environmental change in driving natural selection. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when genes are exchanged across unrelated taxa?

<p>Horizontal gene transfer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reliable method for determining evolutionary relationships between species?

<p>Observing the physical traits of organisms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why islands often have a high number of endemic species?

<p>Islands are often very small and isolated (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

<p>A farmer breeding only the cows that produce the most milk (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?

<p>Acquired characteristics are passed onto offspring (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when different components from different genes are combined to make new proteins?

<p>Exon shuffling (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Lamarck's theory of evolution is TRUE?

<p>Lamarck proposed that acquired characteristics are passed onto offspring (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of artificial selection as described in the content?

<p>Choosing flies with the most bristles on their abdomens to reproduce (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes vestigial structures?

<p>Non-functional remnants from an organism’s evolutionary past (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon explains unrelated species developing similar traits due to similar environmental pressures?

<p>Convergent evolution (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the observed effect of industrial pollution on the moth populations in England?

<p>Dark winged moths flourished due to decreased predation from birds (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence supports the idea of evolution besides fossils and natural selection?

<p>Comparative anatomy, vestigial structures, and molecular biology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the population of dark winged moths as pollution control measures were implemented?

<p>Their numbers declined as they became more visible to predators (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does beak depth change in finches according to environmental conditions?

<p>Larger beaks increase in dry years, while smaller beaks do in wet years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does continental drift refer to?

<p>The slow movement of tectonic plates across the Earth's surface (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'descent with modification'?

<p>The process by which species evolve through natural selection. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between 'microevolution' and 'macroevolution'?

<p>Microevolution refers to changes within a species, while macroevolution refers to the formation of new species. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key component of Darwin's theory of natural selection?

<p>Mutation-driven changes in the environment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The geological theory of uniformitarianism played a crucial role in the development of evolutionary thought. What is the central idea of uniformitarianism?

<p>Geological processes occur very slowly, leading to significant change over time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Charles Darwin's observations on the Galapagos Islands contribute to his theory of evolution?

<p>He noticed variations in finch beaks across different islands, suggesting adaptation to specific environments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'transitional forms' in the fossil record, as exemplified by Tiktaalik roseae?

<p>They provide evidence of gradual changes between ancestral and descendant species. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Biogeography, the study of species distribution, provides evidence for evolution. What is a key principle of biogeography?

<p>Isolated landmasses often have unique species not found elsewhere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The evolution of whales from terrestrial mammals is a well-documented example of macroevolution. Based on the fossil record, what is a key characteristic that distinguishes whales from their terrestrial ancestors?

<p>They lost their hind limbs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Microevolution

Changes in a single gene in a population over time. These changes are usually small and subtle, but can accumulate over generations.

Macroevolution

The formation of new species or groups of species. This large-scale evolutionary process can occur over millions of years.

Species

A group of related organisms that share a distinctive form and are capable of interbreeding to produce viable and fertile offspring.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species that are likely to encounter each other and thus have the opportunity to interbreed.

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Uniformitarianism

A theory in geology that proposes that the same geological processes that are happening today have been happening for millions of years, leading to gradual changes in the Earth's surface.

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Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to their offspring.

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Biogeography

The study of the geographical distribution of extinct and modern species, helping to understand how species have evolved and spread across the Earth.

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Fossil Record

The study of fossils, which provides evidence of past life and how organisms have changed over time.

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Endemic Species

A species found naturally only in a specific location.

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Convergent Evolution

Evolution of similar traits in unrelated species due to similar environmental pressures.

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Selective Breeding (Artificial Selection)

The process of intentionally selecting and breeding organisms with desirable traits.

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Anatomical Homology

Similarities in body structures due to shared ancestry, often with modifications for different functions.

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Vestigial Structures

Non-functional anatomical structures that resemble structures present in ancestral species.

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Developmental Homology

Similarities in developmental stages between species with different adult forms.

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Molecular Homology

Similarities in cellular and molecular processes across diverse species, suggesting common descent.

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Orthologous Genes

Two genes that evolved from a common ancestral gene, found in different species.

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Paralogs

Homologous genes found within the same species that arose from a gene duplication event.

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Horizontal Gene Transfer

The process by which genetic material is transferred horizontally between different species, rather than vertically from parent to offspring.

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Gene Family

A group of related genes that arose from gene duplication events and may have specialized functions.

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Adaptive Radiation

The process by which new species arise from an ancestral species through adaptation to different environments and resources.

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Transitional Fossil

A fossil that exhibits traits of both ancestral and descendant species, providing evidence for evolutionary transitions.

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Chromosomal Change

A change in the structure or number of chromosomes, resulting in the rearrangement of genetic material.

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Finch Beak Diversity

The differences in beak size and shape among the finches on the Galapagos Islands, which evolved through natural selection driven by competition for food.

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Artificial Selection

Selective breeding by humans to enhance desired traits in a species.

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Continental Drift

The slow movement of Earth's tectonic plates over millions of years.

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Evolution

The change in the frequency of traits within a population over time.

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Beak Depth Variation in Finches

A change in the average beak depth of a finch species, with larger beaks favored during dry years and smaller beaks during wet years.

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Peppered Moth Evolution

The change in the frequency of dark and light moth populations due to environmental pollution and its subsequent decline.

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Exon Shuffling

The merging of different gene segments during evolution, resulting in the production of new proteins with unique functions.

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Study Notes

Theory of Evolution

  • Evolution is a heritable change in one or more characteristics of a population or species over generations.
  • Microevolution involves changes in a single gene within a population over time.
  • Macroevolution is the formation of new species or groups of species.
  • A species is a group of related organisms with a shared, distinctive form. Reproducing sexually, members of the same species can interbreed and create viable, fertile offspring.
  • Population refers to members of the same species that can likely encounter and interbreed.

History of Evolutionary Theory

  • Empirical thought relies on observation to formulate ideas, rather than non-physical or spiritual explanations.
  • Geology's uniformitarianism suggests that slow geological processes lead to substantial changes over vast time scales, implying Earth is much older than 6,000 years.
  • Darwin's theory was shaped by geology, economics, and observations during his voyage on the Beagle.
  • Darwin observed similarities and differences among species on the Galapagos Islands, especially finches. Differences in feeding strategies suggest natural selection shaping traits.

Descent with Modification

  • Variation exists within species, with traits being passed from parents to offspring.
  • Natural selection favors individuals with better traits leading to more offspring and propagation of traits.
  • More offspring are produced than can survive due to competition for resources.

Evidence of Evolution

  • Fossil record reveals transitional forms showing evolution: Fishapod (Tiktaalik roseae) shows steps toward tetrapods, whales evolved from terrestrial mammals.
  • Biogeography studies the distribution of species; isolated areas have unique species.
  • Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species evolve similar characteristics in similar environments.
  • Homologies (anatomical, developmental, molecular) show similarities between species, supporting common ancestry.
  • Molecular homologies reveal similarities in genes across diverse species. This reflects the sharing of a common ancestor.

The Molecular Processes of Evolution

  • Homologous genes are derived from a common ancestral gene.
  • Gene duplication leads to gene families; paralogs are homologous genes within a species.
  • Horizontal gene transfer is the exchange of genetic material between species.
  • Evolution happens at a genomic level: Changes in chromosome structure and number among species.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of evolution, including microevolution and macroevolution, and understand the history behind evolutionary theory. Learn about the contributions of empirical thought and geology to the understanding of evolution, as well as the foundational work of Charles Darwin.

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