Chapter 22

Question 1

What was Cuvier’s theory?

Answer 1

Cuvier developed paleontology, speculated that the boundaries between strata represent catastrophic events
- attempt to explain extinction; Catastrophism

Question 2

What was Hutton’s theory?

Answer 2

believed in a theory called gradualism: changes in the Earth’s surface can result from slow continuous actions still operating today

Question 3

What is uniformitarianism?

Answer 3

Lyell’s principle of uniformitarianism states that the mechanisms of change are constant over time; strongly influenced Darwin

Question 4

What was Lamarck’s hypothesis of evolution?

Answer 4

Lamarck hypothesized that species evolve through use and disuse of body parts and the inheritance of acquired characteristics (unsupported by evidence)

Question 5

did the bonsai tree have an affect on its offspring?

Answer 5

No, the bonsai was shaped to be small (environmental factors) which is an acquired trait, so its offspring would still be normal

Question 6

which traits are inherited?

Answer 6

only genetic traits, not acquired traits (even if you develop something that is not genetic, you can’t pass it on)

Question 7

what is Darwin’s theory of evolution?

Answer 7

Darwin’s idea was that there is a common ancestor and all descendants come from a common ancestor

Question 8

What is natural selection?

Answer 8

Natural selection is a process in which individuals with favorable inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Question 9

What phrase summarized Darwin’s perception of the unity of life?

Answer 9

descent with modification summarized Darwin’s perception of the unity of life; it refers to the view that all organisms are related through descent from an ancestor that lived in the past

Question 10

what is artificial selection?

Answer 10

artificial selection is the process by which humans have modified other species by selecting and breeding individuals with desired traits

Question 11

What is an example of something artificially selected vs naturally?

Answer 11

naturally selected would be the mustard plant, artificially selected would be broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts

Question 12

How did Ernst Mayr reformulate Darwin’s ideas into observations and inferences?

Answer 12

1. members of a population vary in inherited traits
2. all species can produce more offspring than the environment can support
3. individuals who have higher probability of surviving, tend to have more offspring
4. unequal ability of survival, leads to accumulated favorable traits (explains match between organisms and environment)

Question 13

what is the overall idea of natural selection?

Answer 13

• individuals with certain heritable traits survive and reproduce at a greater rate than others
• natural selection increases the match between organisms and their environment over time
• if an environment changes, natural selection may result in adaptation to these new conditions and give rise to a new species

Question 14

Do individuals or populations evolve over time?

Answer 14

Populations evolve over time, not individuals

Question 14

Do individuals or populations evolve over time?

Answer 14

Populations evolve over time, not individuals

Question 15

what is homology?

Answer 15

homology is similarity resulting from common ancestor

Question 16

what are homologous structures?

Answer 16

homologous structures are anatomical resemblances that represent variations on a structural theme present in a common ancestor

Question 17

what are examples of molecular homologies?

Answer 17

ex: genes and proteins shared among organisms inherited from a common ancestor, vestigial structures

Question 18

what are vestigial structures?

Answer 18

features that served important functions in the organism’s ancestors such as goosebumps or our wisdom teeth

Question 19

what are analogous traits?

Answer 19

analogous traits arise when groups independently adapt to similar environments in similar ways, do not come from a common ancestor but look very similar