Chapter 15 - The Evolution of Life

Question 1

Variation

Answer 1

External environment factors
Internal biochemical errors
Sexual reproduction
Gene expression
Expression of latent characteristics
Experimentation by orgamism
Morphic fields
Structural template

Question 2

Disadvantages of sex

Answer 2

Organism with really good genes can’t pass them without mixing with another who likely has less good ones
Males don’t have offspring

Question 3

transposon

Answer 3

jumping genes’ that move spontaneously from one site to another in DNA molecule, inserting copies of themselves wherever
Important agents of change that organisms use to modify their own genes
When new gene created, organism often keeps original as well
Duplicates can be altered without endangering species

Question 4

Natural selection

Answer 4

Any hereditary trait that helps organism reproduce better will gradually spread

Question 5

The role of organisms

Answer 5

Species are active agents of their own destiny, organisms often create and co-evolve with their own environments
Cultural inheritance

Question 6

Competition and cooperation

Answer 6

Competition leads to co-evolution
Helps keep ecosystem in balance

Question 7

New theory of evolution

Answer 7

Organisms influence which genes are expressed and engineer own genetic modifications
Acquired characteristics & non-genetic variations may be inherited
Natural selection chooses amongst forms made possible by self organizing dynamics of organism
Emergence of new species may happen within few generations
Fitness to survive is quality of organism within environment
Cooperation is as important as competition
Changes in behavior may be as important for survival as genetic mutations in species that learn and teach young