Questions and Answers
Charles Darwin was born _______ years ago.
200
What did Charles Darwin want to understand?
Evolution
What is called the best idea that anyone ever had?
Theory of Evolution
Name the molecule in the beginning of the program.
Signup and view all the answers
What was Darwin's job on the ship The Beagle?
Signup and view all the answers
List four organisms Darwin observed on the Galapagos Islands.
Signup and view all the answers
What could the islanders tell about the tortoise in the Galapagos?
Signup and view all the answers
Back in Britain, what did Darwin learn about the birds he collected? How many different species were there?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Darwin discover while studying developing embryos (snakes, whales, human)?
Signup and view all the answers
Darwin thought humans were descended from what animal?
Signup and view all the answers
What helped Darwin come up with the idea for natural selection?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain what it means to say survival of the fittest?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Darwin explain how one species of finch had turned into many? What led to the different shaped beaks?
Signup and view all the answers
Because species have v_____________________________, nature selects which individuals survive and don't.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of Darwin's book?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the two kinds of mice in the desert.
Signup and view all the answers
What can we study today that Darwin couldn't?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a gene? What do genes turn into?
Signup and view all the answers
Name one way that DNA can change.
Signup and view all the answers
Are mutations always bad? Explain.
Signup and view all the answers
What did the researchers find that explained the different color mice fur?
Signup and view all the answers
How many genes are in the human genome?
Signup and view all the answers
Research on the fruit fly showed there are 'Switches' in DNA. What are switches?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the lake stickleback fish lose its spikes?
Signup and view all the answers
Finch beaks are all made by the same gene, so why are there different shaped beaks?
Signup and view all the answers
Define transitional fossil.
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the tiktalik fossil so important?
Signup and view all the answers
What do HOX genes do?
Signup and view all the answers
Humans and chimps share a common a________________________.
Signup and view all the answers
The DNA of humans and chimps is _________________ % identical.
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the human hand so unique?
Signup and view all the answers
Stedman believes that a mutation in the human jaw muscle allowed for what unique feature of the human brain?
Signup and view all the answers
When comparing the gene that controls brain development between humans and chimps, what did researchers discover?
Signup and view all the answers
In Pollard's research, she found that most of the DNA differences between human and chimp DNA were in which type of genes?
Signup and view all the answers
The gene for the development of the brain cortex is different by _______ letters between chimps and humans.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the key concepts from the PBS NOVA special 'What Darwin Never Knew' with this quiz. Test your knowledge on Charles Darwin's contributions to the theory of evolution and the molecular biology mentioned in the program. Perfect for students of biology and evolution enthusiasts.