Darwin and The Beagle Flashcards
Explain an evolutionary view of life and recognize that evolution is both a fact and a theory. Describe Intelligent Design Theory and justify why it is a pseudoscience. Recognize the imperfections of the human body and explain how they are evidence of an evolutionary process. Examine the purposes of HMS Beagle's voyage around the world. Assess Georges Cuvier's contribution to geology and the concept of extinction. Discuss Darwin's observations of the birds on the Galapagos Islands.
Naturalist
A scientist who studies and observes plants, animals, and other aspects of the natural world. Charles Darwin served as this aboard the HMS Beagle
Companion
Darwin’s unofficial role on the HMS Beagle, where he was expected to provide social companionship to Captain Robert FitzRoy during the voyage
Theology
One of the fields of study Darwin started but did not complete. It is the study of the divine and religious beliefs
Medicine
A field of study Darwin started but did not finish, specifically at the University of Edinburgh, before shifting to a focus on natural history
HMS Beagle’s Mission
To conduct a hydrographic survey of the South American coastline. It also aimed to carry out scientific investigations around the world
Robert FitzRoy
The captain of the HMS Beagle at the time of Darwin’s voyage. He was responsible for the ship’s mission and played a significant role in influencing Darwin’s work
James Ussher
The archbishop who claimed in 1658 that the Earth was created in 4004 BC, specifically on October 23, according to his interpretation of the Bible
Catastrophism
A geological concept introduced by Georges Cuvier, which suggested that Earth’s history has been shaped by sudden, short-lived, violent events, such as natural disasters
Extinction
The concept that species can completely die out, which was strongly supported by Georges Cuvier through his study of fossils, including those of elephants
Erasmus Darwin
Charles Darwin’s grandfather, known for his early ideas on evolution and his influence on his grandson’s thinking
Lamarckism
The theory proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck that organisms evolve through the inheritance of traits acquired during their lifetime
Giraffe’s Neck Theory
According to Lamarck, giraffes developed long necks because their ancestors stretched their necks to reach higher leaves, and these acquired characteristics were passed to their offspring
Valdivia Earthquake
A significant earthquake that Darwin experienced near Valdivia, South America, in 1835, which contributed to his understanding of geological processes and the Earth’s dynamism
Galápagos Finches
A group of bird species observed by Darwin on the Galápagos Islands, whose diverse beak shapes provided evidence for adaptive radiation and natural selection
Specimen Collection Error
Darwin’s mistake in not labeling the bird specimens from different Galápagos Islands separately, which initially led to confusion in his studies
Endemic Species
Species that exist only in one geographic location, such as the unique organisms found exclusively on the Galápagos Islands
Reproductive Continuity
The concept that all life forms are connected through an unbroken chain of reproduction, meaning that every organism is the result of a lineage of ancestors stretching back to the origin of life. It supports the idea that all living things share a common heritage
Species Development
Species arise from earlier forms through a gradual change over time, known as evolution. This process involves the remodeling of organisms as they adapt to new environments and conditions, leading to the diversity of life we see today
Common Ancestors
The idea that different species share these from which they have diverged over time. This sharing is a core concept in evolutionary biology, explaining the similarities in DNA, anatomy, and behavior among different organisms
Earth’s Surface
It has undergone significant changes over time due to processes like plate tectonics, erosion, and volcanic activity. These changes have influenced the evolution of life by altering habitats and environmental conditions
Age of Earth
The Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old, providing a vast timespan over which evolutionary processes have occurred. This long history is crucial for understanding how life has developed and diversified over billions of years
Imperfections
Flaws in biological organisms, such as vestigial structures or genetic mutations provide evidence of a historical process of evolution. They suggest that organisms have been shaped by natural selection rather than being perfectly designed
Intelligent Design (ID) Theory
A pseudoscientific argument that suggests certain features of the universe and living organisms are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an unpredicted process like natural selection. It is often associated with religious beliefs and is not supported by empirical scientific evidence
Intelligent Cause
Proposes that some biological structures and functions are too complex to have evolved purely through natural processes. Instead, they are believed to be the result of this, though this claim lacks empirical support and is not considered scientifically valid
