Podcast
Questions and Answers
Charles Darwin was born _______ years ago.
Charles Darwin was born _______ years ago.
200
What did Charles Darwin want to understand?
What did Charles Darwin want to understand?
Evolution
What is called the best idea that anyone ever had?
What is called the best idea that anyone ever had?
Theory of Evolution
Name the molecule in the beginning of the program.
Name the molecule in the beginning of the program.
What was Darwin's job on the ship The Beagle?
What was Darwin's job on the ship The Beagle?
List four organisms Darwin observed on the Galapagos Islands.
List four organisms Darwin observed on the Galapagos Islands.
What could the islanders tell about the tortoise in the Galapagos?
What could the islanders tell about the tortoise in the Galapagos?
Back in Britain, what did Darwin learn about the birds he collected? How many different species were there?
Back in Britain, what did Darwin learn about the birds he collected? How many different species were there?
What did Darwin discover while studying developing embryos (snakes, whales, human)?
What did Darwin discover while studying developing embryos (snakes, whales, human)?
Darwin thought humans were descended from what animal?
Darwin thought humans were descended from what animal?
What helped Darwin come up with the idea for natural selection?
What helped Darwin come up with the idea for natural selection?
Explain what it means to say survival of the fittest?
Explain what it means to say survival of the fittest?
How did Darwin explain how one species of finch had turned into many? What led to the different shaped beaks?
How did Darwin explain how one species of finch had turned into many? What led to the different shaped beaks?
Because species have v_____________________________, nature selects which individuals survive and don't.
Because species have v_____________________________, nature selects which individuals survive and don't.
What is the name of Darwin's book?
What is the name of Darwin's book?
Describe the two kinds of mice in the desert.
Describe the two kinds of mice in the desert.
What can we study today that Darwin couldn't?
What can we study today that Darwin couldn't?
What is a gene? What do genes turn into?
What is a gene? What do genes turn into?
Name one way that DNA can change.
Name one way that DNA can change.
Are mutations always bad? Explain.
Are mutations always bad? Explain.
What did the researchers find that explained the different color mice fur?
What did the researchers find that explained the different color mice fur?
How many genes are in the human genome?
How many genes are in the human genome?
Research on the fruit fly showed there are 'Switches' in DNA. What are switches?
Research on the fruit fly showed there are 'Switches' in DNA. What are switches?
How did the lake stickleback fish lose its spikes?
How did the lake stickleback fish lose its spikes?
Finch beaks are all made by the same gene, so why are there different shaped beaks?
Finch beaks are all made by the same gene, so why are there different shaped beaks?
Define transitional fossil.
Define transitional fossil.
Why is the tiktalik fossil so important?
Why is the tiktalik fossil so important?
What do HOX genes do?
What do HOX genes do?
Humans and chimps share a common a________________________.
Humans and chimps share a common a________________________.
The DNA of humans and chimps is _________________ % identical.
The DNA of humans and chimps is _________________ % identical.
Why is the human hand so unique?
Why is the human hand so unique?
Stedman believes that a mutation in the human jaw muscle allowed for what unique feature of the human brain?
Stedman believes that a mutation in the human jaw muscle allowed for what unique feature of the human brain?
When comparing the gene that controls brain development between humans and chimps, what did researchers discover?
When comparing the gene that controls brain development between humans and chimps, what did researchers discover?
In Pollard's research, she found that most of the DNA differences between human and chimp DNA were in which type of genes?
In Pollard's research, she found that most of the DNA differences between human and chimp DNA were in which type of genes?
The gene for the development of the brain cortex is different by _______ letters between chimps and humans.
The gene for the development of the brain cortex is different by _______ letters between chimps and humans.
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Study Notes
Charles Darwin and Evolution
- Charles Darwin was born approximately 200 years ago.
- His primary pursuit was the understanding of evolution, leading to the formulation of the Theory of Evolution, regarded as one of the greatest ideas in science.
Key Discoveries on the Beagle
- Darwin served as a surveyor on the HMS Beagle, focusing on the waters around South America.
- Observations in the Galapagos Islands included various organisms such as penguins, giant tortoises, iguanas, and different types of birds.
- Islanders could identify the origin of tortoises by examining their shells.
Insights from Birds and Embryos
- Darwin noted that birds collected from different islands displayed slight variations, leading to the awareness of numerous species.
- He discovered similarities in developing embryos across species such as snakes, whales, and humans, reflecting shared ancestry.
Human Ancestry and Natural Selection
- Darwin hypothesized that humans descended from fish.
- His observations of domestic dogs contributed to his concept of natural selection, encapsulated in the phrase "survival of the fittest"—indicating that only well-adapted animals survive.
Species Variation and Adaptation
- Variations within species allowed nature to determine survival.
- Different beak shapes of finches evolved in response to available food sources in their environment.
Genetics and Mutations
- Genetic variation stems from mutations, which can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on environmental context.
- An example is a pocket mouse adapting color based on habitat, illustrating the role of advantageous mutations.
The Human Genome and Genetic Mechanisms
- The human genome contains approximately 23,000 genes.
- Research on fruit flies revealed that genetic "switches" control gene activation.
- The lake stickleback fish lost spikes due to modifications in these genetic switches.
Transitional Fossils and Key Discoveries
- Transitional fossils, such as Tiktaalik, exhibit characteristics of both fish and terrestrial animals, showcasing evolutionary links.
- HOX genes play a crucial role in body formation, directing the expression of other genes.
Evolutionary Relatedness to Other Species
- Humans and chimps share a common ancestry, with DNA being 99% identical.
- The uniqueness of the human hand, particularly the opposable thumb, is key to our manipulation capabilities.
- A mutation in the jaw muscle was critical for accommodating larger brain development in humans.
Genetic Differences and Brain Development
- Significant gene differences controlling brain development exist between humans and chimps.
- Most DNA variations between the two species are found in genetic switches, with a specific 18-letter difference in genes responsible for developing the brain cortex.
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