Module 13: Study Guide Questions - Evolutionary Theory & Natural Selection PDF

**Module 13: Study Guide Questions** **Main Topic: Evolutionary Theory & Natural Selection** Hello Students! Below are the topics we've studied & questions you should practice answering in writing/aloud before the exam. A good system is to sort questions based on your current understanding of & co...

**Module 13: Study Guide Questions** **Main Topic: Evolutionary Theory & Natural Selection** Hello Students! Below are the topics we've studied & questions you should practice answering in writing/aloud before the exam. A good system is to sort questions based on your current understanding of & comfort with related concepts. Mark questions with ✓ (got it!), **\~** (so-so), or **?**, then practice writing/talking out the questions starting with those you feel you understand (✓). Save the **?** questions for last; those will be more time-consuming. Some topics require you to simply memorize terms, but many topics require you to understand the concept. For more ideas and suggestions on studying biology, check out the "How to Study Biology" link in the Introductory Module. - Why is evolutionary theory considered a scientific theory? - What was the widely accepted view about where species came from before Darwin published his theory of evolution by natural selection? Did Darwin's ideas align with current views or contradict them? - Describe natural selection. Give an example you learned about in class. Also, come up with an example on your own to show you know what evolution by natural selection is. - How does descent with modification (i.e. evolution) explain both the unity and diversity of living organisms? What are examples of unity across organisms? Diversity? - What is an adaptation? Do you think one adaptation provides an advantage to an organism in every environment it encounters? Why or why not? - What is artificial selection? Give examples. How does artificial selection support the statement that evolution of living organisms occurs? - What are the main lines of evidence that support evolution? - For each of the lines of evidence, describe what it is and how this line of evidence supports the theory of evolution. Make sure to give examples of each one. See below for additional details - Direct Observations -- how does this line of evidence support evolution. Give an example. - Homology (Anatomy (Adult and Developmental) and Molecular) - What are homologies? What does it mean if two organisms have homologous structures? How do homologies support evolution? - What do homologous structures have in common? Give examples. - What are vestigial organs? Give examples. - What is the connection between evolution and the existence of vestigial organs? - What are analogous structures? What is convergent evolution? (examples of both) - What are developmental homologies? - What about molecular homologies? What types of molecules do organisms have in common? Give specific examples. - Fossils - Explain how the fossil record provide evidence for evolution? - What else can you learn from the fossil record? - How are gaps in the fossil record explained? Do gaps in the fossil record disprove evolution -- why or why not? - Biogeographical -- how does this line of evidence support evolution? Give an example. **Human Skin Color Case Study Questions:** - If you live near the equator, is it better to have light or dark skin? Explain. - If you live far from the equator, is it better to have light or dark skin? Explain. - What is the relationship between UV light levels, skin color, and human migration? - How is human skin color an example of evolution by natural selection?