Darwin

Question 1

Belief: Suggested humans and apes have a common ancestor and that Earth is older than 6000 years.

Answer 1

Georges-Louis Leclerc

Question 2

Contribution: Developed paleontology; observed fossils in rock layers (strata) showing extinction and introduced “catastrophism” – natural disasters causing species disappearance.

Answer 2

Georges Cuvier

Question 3

Survival of the Fittest: Species with advantageous traits survive and reproduce, leading to gradual changes in populations over generations.

Answer 3

Darwin’s Analysis

Question 4

Theory: Believed in Uniformitarianism – Earth’s changes happen gradually, not from sudden events, supporting the idea that Earth is older than 6000 years.

Answer 4

Charles Lyell

Question 5

Theory: Proposed that species evolve by inheritance of acquired characteristics, where traits used more frequently become stronger over time.

Answer 5

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Question 6

Voyage of the Beagle: Observed species variation in South America, especially the Galapagos finches adapting to different niches, leading to his theory of natural selection.

Answer 6

Charles Darwin

Question 7

1. Finches on each island adapted to specific food sources.
2. Physical separation prevented interbreeding, leading to distinct species.
3. Adapted traits passed on, creating a new gene pool over time.

Answer 7

Darwin’s Observations (Finches)

Question 8

1. Overproduction: Species produce more offspring than needed; few survive.
2. Competition: Limited resources force organisms to compete.
3. Genetic Variation: Differences within a species make each organism unique.
4. Adaptation: Traits that increase survival in an environment.
5. Natural Selection: Environment favors traits that aid survival.
6. Speciation: Accumulation of adaptations over time creates new species.

Answer 8

The Six Main Points of Darwin’s Theory

Question 9

Definition: The gradual change in the genetic composition of a population over generations, leading to diversity in life forms.

Answer 9

Evolution

Question 10

Definition: The specific role or habitat of an organism in its environment (e.g., arctic fish adapted to cold waters).

Answer 10

Niche

Question 11

Steps: Geographic isolation → Accumulation of unique traits → Reproductive isolation → Formation of a new species.

Answer 11

Speciation Process

Question 12

Definition: Producing more offspring than can survive, ensuring only the fittest continue.

Answer 12

Overproduction

Question 13

Concept: Offspring compete for resources like food and space, with only a few surviving.

Answer 13

Competition

Question 14

Definition: Differences within individuals of a species; essential for evolution and adaptation.

Answer 14

Genetic Variation

Question 15

Definition: An inherited trait that improves survival chances in a specific environment.

Answer 15

Adaptation

Question 16

Concept: Nature “selects” organisms with beneficial traits to survive and reproduce, leading to a more adapted population.

Answer 16

Natural Selection

Question 17

Definition: Formation of a new species over many generations as traits accumulate and change.

Answer 17

Speciation

Question 18

Catastrophism: Earth changes due to sudden events (Cuvier).

Uniformitarianism: Slow, gradual changes shape Earth (Lyell).

Answer 18

Catastrophism vs. Uniformitarianism

Question 19

Metaphor: Life’s diversity grows like branches on a tree from a common root (common ancestor).

Answer 19

Darwin’s “Tree of Life”