Darwin's Theory Flashcards
What is the primary focus of evolutionary psychology as proposed by Tooby and Cosmides?
A) Sociobiology
B) Cognitive approach
C) Artificial selection
D) Genetic mutations
B) Cognitive approach
Leda Cosmides and John Tooby, two key figures in the development of evolutionary psychology, proposed that the human mind is shaped by natural selection and that cognitive processes are adaptations to specific problems faced by our ancestors. Their primary focus was on how the mind evolved to solve problems related to survival and reproduction, leading to a cognitive approach to understanding human behavior. They emphasized that human psychology is not a general-purpose problem solver but consists of specialized mechanisms that evolved over time.
Which of the following is NOT a concept associated with Darwin’s theory of evolution?
A) Natural selection
B) Artificial selection
C) Inclusive fitness
D) Reciprocal altruism
D) Reciprocal altruism
While reciprocal altruism is a concept that relates to evolutionary theory, it was not introduced by Darwin himself. It was later developed by the evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers in the 1970s. Reciprocal altruism refers to the idea that individuals may help others with the expectation that the favor will be returned in the future.
The other concepts—natural selection, artificial selection, and inclusive fitness—are directly tied to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
What did Herbert Simon mean by stating that “cows are man-made”?
A) Cows are genetically modified organisms
B) Cows are selectively bred for desirable traits
C) Cows are a result of natural selection
D) Cows are artificially created in laboratories
B) Cows are selectively bred for desirable traits
Herbert Simon’s statement that “cows are man-made” refers to the fact that domesticated cows, like many other animals and plants, have been shaped and altered through selective breeding by humans. Over generations, humans have intentionally chosen animals with desirable traits, such as larger size or higher milk production, and bred them to pass those traits on to future generations. This process has drastically altered cows from their wild ancestors.
Which of the following is a key difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
A) Artificial selection has an ultimate goal
B) Natural selection is concerned with adaptation and reproductive success
C) Artificial selection is a natural process
D) Natural selection involves human intervention
The correct answer is:
B) Natural selection is concerned with adaptation and reproductive success
A key difference between artificial selection and natural selection is that natural selection is driven by environmental pressures and focuses on traits that enhance an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. In contrast, artificial selection is guided by human intervention, with humans selecting for traits they find desirable, regardless of whether they aid in survival or reproduction.
So, while natural selection is about adaptation to the environment and reproductive success, artificial selection is about human-driven choices to breed organisms with specific traits.
What did Mendel’s findings reveal about the relationship between genotype and phenotype?
A) Traits are caused by a single gene
B) Genes operate independently of each other
C) The relationship is more complex than previously thought
D) Inheritance is the result of blending
C) The relationship is more complex than previously thought
Mendel’s findings revealed that the relationship between genotype (the genetic makeup of an organism) and phenotype (the observable traits) is more complex than earlier ideas like blending inheritance suggested. Mendel’s work demonstrated that traits are inherited according to specific patterns, where genes come in pairs (alleles) and some traits are dominant while others are recessive. His experiments with pea plants showed that inheritance follows predictable ratios, leading to the understanding that genes follow discrete patterns of inheritance rather than blending together.
Which of the following is NOT a modification to Mendel’s law?
A) Discovery of chromosomes
B) Genes are passed on independently
C) Genes have specific loci
D) Genes can be linked on the same chromosome
B) Genes are passed on independently
This statement actually reflects one of Mendel’s original laws: the Law of Independent Assortment, which states that genes for different traits are inherited independently of each other.
The other options describe modifications to Mendel’s laws based on later discoveries:
Discovery of chromosomes (A) helped explain the physical basis of inheritance.
Genes have specific loci (C) refers to the location of genes on chromosomes.
Genes can be linked on the same chromosome (D) refers to the concept of gene linkage, which Mendel did not account for, as genes located close to each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together.
So, the modification to Mendel’s law is related to the idea that genes can be linked, not that they are inherited independently.
What is the significance of recombination in modern genetics?
A) It leads to genetic mutations
B) It separates chromosome pairs during sexual reproduction
C) It allows genes to be exchanged between chromosomes
D) It results in complete dominance of traits
C) It allows genes to be exchanged between chromosomes
Recombination, also known as crossing over, is a key process during meiosis where segments of homologous chromosomes are exchanged. This genetic exchange results in new combinations of alleles, increasing genetic diversity in offspring. It’s a fundamental mechanism in evolution, as it generates genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection and adaptation.
Which of the following statements about genetic mutations is TRUE?
A) All mutations are detrimental
B) Mutations are errors in the DNA code
C) Mutations always have a positive effect
D) Mutations are caused by environmental factors
B) Mutations are errors in the DNA code
Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can occur naturally or due to external factors like radiation or chemicals. While mutations are often thought of as errors, they can have a variety of effects on an organism—some detrimental, some neutral, and some beneficial. Not all mutations are harmful, and not all are caused by environmental factors.
What is pleiotropy in the context of modern genetics?
A) One gene affects multiple characteristics
B) Multiple genes affect one characteristic
C) Genes are expressed independently
D) Genes are modified by environmental factors
A) One gene affects multiple characteristics
Pleiotropy refers to a situation in which a single gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated traits. This occurs because the gene product (like a protein) may have effects on different biological pathways or processes, leading to various characteristics being affected.
According to Dawkins, what is the role of genes in development?
A) Genes are the sole determinants of development
B) Genes interact with environmental variables
C) Genes are irrelevant to development
D) Genes are only involved in reproduction
B) Genes interact with environmental variables
According to Richard Dawkins, genes play a crucial role in development, but they don’t work in isolation. Instead, genes interact with environmental factors to influence an organism’s development. This idea is central to Dawkins’ view of evolution, where he presents the concept of the “selfish gene,” highlighting that genes can be seen as units of selection in the process of evolution, but they also operate in dynamic interaction with their environment.
What is the yardstick used to measure fitness in evolutionary biology?
A) Physical strength
B) Reproductive success
C) Lifespan
D) Genetic diversity
B) Reproductive success
In evolutionary biology, fitness is typically measured by an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce, passing its genes on to the next generation. The more offspring an individual produces that survive to reproduce, the higher its fitness. Reproductive success is the key factor, rather than physical strength or lifespan.
What is the main argument of Wynne-Edwards regarding group selection?
A) Animals evolve to aid their own survival
B) Animals evolve to aid the survival of their group
C) Animals evolve to promote their genes
D) Animals evolve to exhibit selfish behavior
B) Animals evolve to aid the survival of their group
Wynne-Edwards proposed the idea of group selection, which suggests that animals may evolve behaviors that benefit the survival of their group or species, even if those behaviors are not directly advantageous to the individual. This idea contrasts with the more widely accepted view that natural selection acts primarily at the level of the individual or gene. According to group selection, traits that help the group as a whole could be selected for, even if they reduce the individual’s own reproductive success.
What is the concept of inclusive fitness as proposed by Hamilton?
A) An animal’s fitness is determined by its offspring
B) An animal’s fitness is determined by its relatives
C) An animal’s fitness is determined by its group
D) An animal’s fitness is determined by its environment
B) An animal’s fitness is determined by its relatives
Inclusive fitness, as proposed by W.D. Hamilton, extends the concept of fitness to include not only an individual’s direct reproductive success (offspring) but also the reproductive success of its relatives. By helping relatives survive and reproduce, an individual can indirectly pass on its genes, enhancing its inclusive fitness. This concept is central to understanding kin selection, where behaviors that benefit relatives, even at a cost to the individual, can evolve if they increase the overall genetic success of the individual’s shared genes.
Caring for my genes through offspring and relatives
What is the principle of reciprocal altruism as presented by Trivers?
A) Altruistic acts are always selfless
B) Altruistic acts benefit both participants
C) Altruistic acts are detrimental to the actor
D) Altruistic acts are rare in humans
B) Altruistic acts benefit both participants
The principle of reciprocal altruism, as proposed by Robert Trivers, suggests that individuals may perform altruistic acts (helping others) with the expectation that the favor will be returned in the future. Unlike traditional forms of altruism, which benefit only the recipient, reciprocal altruism benefits both the actor and the recipient in the long run, as both may gain from mutual assistance over time.
What is the main focus of the selfish gene theory?
A) The survival of the individual
B) The survival of the group
C) The survival of the gene
D) The survival of the species
C) The survival of the gene
The selfish gene theory, proposed by Richard Dawkins, focuses on the idea that natural selection operates at the level of genes, rather than individuals or species. According to this theory, genes are “selfish” in that they are programmed to maximize their own survival and replication, often by influencing the behavior of the organism in ways that increase the likelihood of gene transmission to future generations. The organism, in this view, is seen as a “vehicle” or “survival machine” for the genes.
