Bio (April 29) Flashcards
In the 1550s, why was it difficult to advance the field of biology? (give 4 reasons)
1) no knowledge of genetics
2) limited knowledge of evolution
3) limited life times for observations
4) little records of organisms
Who is Charles Lyell? What ideas is he known for?
He is a geologist. He came up with the idea that earth’s geology evolved and that changes in geology are observable today. His ideas were based on his observation of the Temple of Serapis. He believed that the temple had sunk below sea level and was raised up again later over time from natural processes. Darwin was influenced by Charles Lyell’s ideas. The earth is changing perhaps organisms are changing as well.Immense periods of time can produce great change.
Who is James Hutton? What ideas is he known for?
He is a geologist. He observed that layers of rock formed very slowly. Because the process takes so long, he determined that the earth is older that 6000 years.
Who is Thomas Malthus? What ideas is he known for?
He is an economists. He said that human population growth has limiting factors such as war, famines, disease, natural resources, and living space.
Who is Lamarck? What was his theory of evolution? (Name 5 contributions he made to theory of evolution)
He was among the first to develop theories of evolution. His early theory of evolution included:
1) organisms adapt to their environments through acquired traits
2) changes occur in organisms’ lifetime
3) organisms lose parts because they don’t use them (called ‘use and disuse’)
4) evolution is a process of increasing complexity and “perfection,” not driven by chance
5) organisms transmit acquired characteristics to next generation
When did Charles Darwin live?
1809-1882
What was Charles Darwin’s occupation? Which country is Darwin from?
He was a naturalist from Britain.
What are some ideas Darwin contributed to theory of evolution? (Name two)
1) Everything in evolution changes
2) The organisms on the top of the chain have less competition
What was Alfred Wallace’s occupation and which country is he from?
He was a naturalist from Britain. He lived during the same time as Darwin.
Why is Alfred Wallace famous? (Name 3 reasons)
1) He independently discovered principles of evolution and natural selection
2) He published his findings with Darwin
3) He influenced Darwin to publish The Origin of Species
What ideas are Gregor Mendel known for?
He studied the inheritance of factors in pea plants. He determined that organisms have 2 factors for each trait, but only passed on one to each offspring. His research was lost and rediscovered many years after his death.
Who is Oswald Avery? What ideas is he known for?
While studying bacteria that causes pneumonia, he determined that chromosomes have genetic info
Who is Hershey Chase? What ideas is he known for?
Using radioactive markers, he determined that the DNA of a chromosome had genetic info., not proteins
What is modern synthesis?
The modern synthesis is a 20th-century synthesis of ideas from several fields of biology that provides an account of evolution. It includes aspects of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection with DNA being the factor that determines a trait and is passed between offspring.
Who are two famous geologists known for their contribution to the theory of evolution?
Charles Lyell and James Hutton
Which economist is known for his contribution to the theory of evolution?
Thomas Malthus
Name 5 evidences of evolution
1) fossil record
2) homologous structures
3) analogous structures
4) comparative embryology
5) molecular record
Explain how fossil records support the theory of evolution
Layers of sedimentary rock contain fossils. New layers cover old layers, creating fossil records. Fossils in layers show organisms have populated earth for a long period of time.
What is divergent evolution?
Divergent evolution is the accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species
What is convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution is the process by which unrelated or distantly related organisms evolve similar body forms, coloration, organs, and adaptations.
What is analagous structure? Name five characteristics.
Different species have the following characteristics:
1) They have similar function
2) They have similar external form
3) They have different internal structures development
4) They have different origins
5) They do not have any evolutionary relationship
What is homologous structures? Name five characteristics
Different species the following characteristics:
1) Have similar skeletal structures (e.g. forelimbs of humans, cats, whales)
2) Similar embryological development
3) Different functions
4) Evidence of common ancestor
5) Branched off from common four-limbed ancestor
What type of evolution is evidenced by analogous structures?
Convergent evolution
What type of evolution is evidenced by homologous structures?
Divergent evolution
What is co-evolution?
Two or more organisms adapt to changes in each other. An adaptation in one organism triggers an adaption in another.
Is co-evolution always beneficial?
It can be beneficial or be an evolutionary arms race
What are vestigial organs? Say three things about it.
1) They are structures in modern animals that serve little or no function.
2) They are remnants of structures that were functional in ancestral species.
3) They are evidence that change occurred in species overtime
What is comparative embryology?
It is studying similar embryological developments in closely related species. All vertebrate embryos have similar structures at different stages of development.
