Chapter 15 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is evolution?

A

The idea that species change over time

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2
Q

What two things does evolution explain?

A

1) Unity 2) Diversity

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3
Q

What is taxonomy?

A

The science of classifying organisms

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4
Q

What did Carolus Linnaeus do?

A

=Developed the binomial system of nomenclature and a system of classification for living things

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5
Q

What was comparative anatomy, and how did scientists study it?

A

1) Evaluation of similar structures accross species
2) Compared extant (living species) from around the world, as well as fossils

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6
Q

What is the “fixity of species”?

A

Each species had an ideal structure and function as well as a place on the scala naturae (ladder of life)

-The ladder went from least complex creature to most complex creature

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7
Q

What did most mid 18th century taxonomists try to determine?

A

The diea characteristics of each species as well as the proper rank of them on the scala naturae

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8
Q

What did Count Buffon imply in his writings?

A

Provided evidence of descent with modification and even speculated on causative mechanisms such as environmental influences, migration, geographic isiolation, and struggle for existence as a reason for change

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9
Q

What were Erasmus Darwin’s conclusions?

A

Concluded that there was a possibility of common descent, based on his conclusions on changes undergone by animals during development, artificial selection,and prescence of vestigial structures

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10
Q

What system did Baron Georges Cuvier develop?

A

He developed a system of classifying animals and used comparative anatomy to do so

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11
Q

Cuvier also founded the science of paleontology. What is paleontology?

A

It is the study of fossils

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12
Q

What is the concept of catastrophism?

A

That whenever there was a catastrophe, God would create a new set of species

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13
Q

What were Lamarck’s conclusions?

A

That more complex organisms are descended from less complex organisms, and that increase complexity is the result of a desire for perfection. Lamarck also supported the idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics, that the environment could bring about genotypic (inheritance) change

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14
Q

Charles Lyell’s Principles of Geology contained what arguments/explanations by James Hutton?

A

1) Earth is subjet to a slow but continuous cycles of rock formation through erosion. Weather causes erosion, and dirt, rock and debris are washed into the rivers and transported away. Thick sediments are deposited in thick layers.
2) Geographical changes can be accounted for by slow, natural processes.

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15
Q

What is uniformitarianism?

A

The idea that slow changes occur at a uniform rate and the natural processes witnessed today are the same processes that occured in the past.

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16
Q

What was one observation that Darwin made that supported Lyell’s theory of sow change?

A

The andes mountains

17
Q

What is biogeography?

A

The study of the range and geographic distribution of the life forms on Earth. From this, one can compare animals from different regions

18
Q

What were two animals that Darwin observed in South America that helped him formulate his theories?

A

1) Tortoises: Observed the differences between the length of the necks
2) Finches: BEaks

19
Q

What did Darwin determine about adaptations?

A

That they developed over time instead of being the instant work of a creator

20
Q

What is natural selection?

A

Process consisting of these components:

1) Organisms have inheritable variations
2) Organisms compete for resources
3) Organisms differ in reproductive success
4) Organisms become adapted

All in all, natural selection can be summed up in the statement “Survival of the fittest”

21
Q

Describe: Organisms have Inheritable Variations

A

Members of a population vary in their functional, physical, and behavioral characteristics. New variations can be either good or detrimental to the environment

22
Q

Describe: Organisms compete for resources

A

There are not enough resources to sustain the entire world’s population, so organisms have to compete for resources

23
Q

Describe: Organisms differ in Reproductive Success

A

Fitness is the reproductive success of an individual relative to other members of a population. If an organism is more fit, it will be able to reproduce much more, and thus will be more successful

24
Q

Describe: Organisms become adapted

A

A trait that helps an organism be more suited to it’s environment

25
Q

What are the four types of evidence for evolution?

A

1) Fossil Evidence
2) Biogeographical Evidence
3) Biochemical Evidence
4) Anatomical Evidence

26
Q

Fossil Evidence:

A

Scientists can use bones/prints that were preserved to compare structures. Transitional fossils can also be analyzed as well

27
Q

What is a transitional fossil?

A

A common ancestor for two different groups of organisms oor closely related to the common ancestor for these groups

28
Q

Describe: Biogeographical Evidence:

A

Biogeography is the study of the range and distribution of plants and animals in different places throughout the world. One can compare organisms from different places

29
Q

What are three types structures that can be studied in anatomy to find proof for evolution?

A

1) Homologous Structures
2) Analogous Structures
3) Vestigial Structures

30
Q

Describe biochemical evidence

A

Proof by studying DNA, RNA, and ATP.

31
Q
A