Evolution

Question 1

Define evolution.

Answer 1

The change in organisms over many generations.

Question 2

What did Darwin observe?

Answer 2

Members showed variation
Individuals had the potential to produce large numbers of organisms but the number of adults remained constant
Resources were limited

Question 3

What did Darwin deduce?

Answer 3

There is a ‘struggle for existence’ with only the fittest surviving
Those that survive reproduce and their offspring have the characteristics they need to succeed.
In time a group of individuals undergo many changes and becomes sufficiently distinct to belong to a new species.

Question 4

Why is natural selection a continuous process?

Answer 4

If the environmental conditions change, the features needed to survive in it change so it is continuous n

Question 5

What is natural selection and evolution, described in modern terms)

Answer 5

There is competition for limited resources and those individuals that have alleles providing a better adapted phenotype reproduce more successfully. They pass the alleles that produce the phenotype to their offspring and so this continues over generations. The average phenotype changes.

Question 6

What are 2 types of evolutionary product?

Answer 6

Adaptations are features used in an original form

Expaptations are structures that appear to have their original use modified.