8-Evolution

Question 0

Why was Darwin’s theory only gradually accepted?

Answer 0

Challenged idea that God created the Earth and everything in it.
Insufficient evidence at the time to convince many scientists.
Mechanisms of inheritance not known until 50 years after the theory was published.

Question 1

What does Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection state?

Answer 1

That all species of living things evolved from simple life forms that first developed over 3 billion years ago.

Question 2

What was Lamarck’s theory?

Answer 2

That changes occurred to an organism during its lifetime and these changes were inherited.

Question 3

Why do we know know Lamarck’s theory was wrong?

Answer 3

The genes that an organism passes to its offspring are present at birth.

Question 4

What is evolution?

Answer 4

The change in a population over a large number of generations that may result in the formation of a new species, the members of which are better adapted to their environment.

Question 5

What are the 4 key points to remember about evolution?

Answer 5

1. Individuals within a population show a wide range if variation because of differences in genes.
2. Individuals with characteristics most suited to their environment are more likely to survive & breed successfully. Known as ‘survival of the fittest’.
3. Genes that have enabled these individuals to be successful are passed onto their offspring, resulting in a new species formed by natural selection.
4. Where new forms if a gene result from mutation, there may be more rapid change in a species.

Question 6

What can help us understand evolution?

Answer 6

Studying the similarities and differences between organisms.

Question 7

What helps us classify organisms?

Answer 7

Studying the similarities and differences between organisms.

Question 8

What are evolutionary trees?

Answer 8

Models that allow us to represent the relationships between organisms.