Evolution

Question 1

How is the fossil record bias ?

Answer 1

It only shows the remains of; hard body organisms , place of death.
It also is incomplete

Question 2

Archaeopteryx and tiktaalik are examples of …

Answer 2

Transitional fossils

Question 3

Name the 4 fossil types

Answer 3

Trace
Impression
Mould
Body

Question 4

Name and explain the process whereby fossilization occurs

Answer 4

Mineralization.

Soil replaces decaying bone and forms fossil

Question 5

Name and explain the 2 fossil dating methods

Answer 5

Relative dating - uses strata in rocks to determine age. Lower strata means older fossil

Absolute dating - based on ratio of elements present in fossil

Question 6

A living fossil is…

Answer 6

A species that has been living on earth for millions of years

Question 7

How can genetics be evidence for evolution?

Answer 7

All of life shares same nucleotides therefore all have same origin. We can trace ancestry through mutations and DNA changes

Question 8

Name and explain the 2 ways in which we can “see” genetic evolution

Answer 8

Selective breeding. Choose desirable traits and cross genes.

Antibiotic/pesticide resistance. Evolve resistances over time

Question 9

How can biochemistry be evidence for evolution?

Answer 9

Similar amino acids shows similar origins

Question 10

How can geographical distribution be evidence for evolution ?

Answer 10

Pangea meant all animals could roam freely. Continental drift shows their distribution. Extinction of animals shows their ancient living conditions / habitats

Question 11

Name and explain the 2 styles of evolution

Answer 11

Convergent. Species share similar functions but evolve along different paths

Divergent. Ancestor species gives rise to new diverse descendants that adapt to their environment

Question 12

Name and explain the 4 methods of comparative anatomy

Answer 12

Homologous structures. Similar structure with different functions.
Analogous structures. Different structures with similar functions.
Vestigial structures. Structures that are no longer functional or necessary.
Divergent/ adaptive radiation. Evolution from common ancestor. Evidence in homologous and vestigial structures

Question 13

How can comparative embryology be evidence for evolution

Answer 13

Development of embryo across different species is very similar. Therefore all began with one development and changed to suit it’s environment

Question 14

What did Lamarck believe about evolution ?

Answer 14

Inheritance of acquired traits. Species can change phenotype during its lifetime to suit it’s environment and pass on these changes to offspring.
Also believed “use and disuse” theory whereby structures that are no longer used deteriorate over time

Question 15

What did Darwin believe ?

Answer 15

Modification by descent or natural selection. Variation of traits caused by mutations , crossing over , RGS, IA. More desirable traits are selected for and non desirable traits are selected against. Traits are inherited through parents to offspring. Over time species adapt to suit their environment

Question 16

What evidence do we have that evolution has occurred?

Answer 16

Fossil evidence
Genetics 
Biochemistry
Geographical distribution 
Comparative anatomy 
Comparative embryology

Question 17

What would one use for a pictorial representation showing relation ?

Answer 17

Cladogram or phylogenic tree

Question 18

Cladogenesis is…

Answer 18

Branching or adaptive radiation

Question 19

Anagenesis is…

Answer 19

No branching in a cladogram

Question 20

The two different types of evolution are

Answer 20

Macro and micro evolution

Question 21

Explain macro evolution

Answer 21

Evolution at a large scale that results in formation of new species
Evidence is in fossil record.
General trends include increased diversity and size.
Novelties include significant changes in evolutionary history like jaws or lungs.
Rate of change is gradualism and punctuated equilibrium.

Question 22

Explain the difference between Punctuated equilibrium and Gradualism

Answer 22

PE is periods of stasis interrupted by sudden evolutionary change.

Gradualism is slow evolution

Question 23

Explain micro evolution

Answer 23

Evolution at a small scale. Evidence is in small genetic changes in species with fast generation time.
Results of macro evolution.

Question 24

Name the 5 causes of micro evolution

Answer 24

1) Mutation
2) Natural Selection
3) Non-random Mating
4) Gene flow
5) Genetic Drift

Question 25

Why is gene flow beneficial

Answer 25

Increased variation.

More varied genome.

Question 26

Why is genetic drift detrimental

Answer 26

Decreases variation.
Can lead to extinction.
Loss allele variation

Question 27

What can result from genetic drift ?

Answer 27

Founder effect and bottle necking

Question 28

Explain the founder effect

Answer 28

Small group of individuals in a population becomes isolated. Decrease breeding partners and variation

Question 29

Define co evolution

Answer 29

The evolution of 2 or more species together for the benefit of all each species

Question 30

Define convergent evolution

Answer 30

2 unrelated species evolve a function as environment changes. Eg butterfly and birds