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Question 1

What are the three main components of Darwin’s theory of evolution?

Answer 1

Descent with modifications

Evolution happens in populations

Adaptation is a result of natural selection

Question 2

What additions and refinements to Darwin’s theory have emerged in the past 150 years?

Answer 2

1920s to 1950s :
Reconciled classical genetics with evolution
Added random evolution by genetic drift

1950s to Present :
Kimura’s theories of neutral and nearly-neutral evolution
Molecular evolution as a research focus and as a tool

Question 3

What were Darwin’s inspirations for his theory? In particular, what led him to think that there was massive competition among individuals for resources?

Answer 3

The different shapes and sizes of the beaks of the finches on the Galapagos islands.

Question 4

Describe the major evolutionary transitions from ancestors that lived on land to modern whales.

Answer 4

First, four legged ( webbed later)

More narrow head

Tail became a fin

More narrow face

Smaller legs became fins

Question 5

What are the three major Domains of living organisms? To which domain do humans belong?

Answer 5

Bacteria

-Archea

-Eukaryote -> humans

Question 6

When reading an evolutionary tree (phylogeny), what is implied by a point where branches meet (internal nodes)?

Answer 6

Parts of the same ancestral group just a subgroup

Question 7

What is an evolutionary out-group?

Answer 7

Distant group related organisms

Question 8

What are the conditions required for natural selection to drive adaptive evolution? Why does adaptive evolution require no goal to evolve the adaptive traits?

Answer 8

Reproduction, hereditary, variation fitness, variation among population