Evolution Flashcards
Explain the theory of evolution
Developed by Charles Darwin, it is a well supported, testable explanation for the process of how modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.
Describe Darwins voyage
He set sail in the H.M.S Beagle from Britain in 1831, returned in 1836. He collected specimens of animals and plants, both living and fossilized.
Describe Darwins observations on his voyage
- > Animals seemed remarkably well suited to their environment
- > Animals have many ways to survive and produce offspring
- > Different animals inhabit similar habitats on different continents **
Explain Hutton’s & Lyell’s contribution to Darwins theory
James Hutton and Charles Lyell helped scientists recognize that the Earth is many millions of years old, and the processes that changed the Earth in the past are the same processes that operate in the present
Explain Thomas Malthus’ contribution to Darwins theory
He reasoned that if the human population continued to grow unchecked, sooner or later there would be insufficient space and food for everyone.
Explain Jean-Baptists Lamarck’s theory of evolution
He proposed that by selective use or disuse of organs, organisms acquired or lost certain traits during their lifetime. They passed these traits on to their offspring and over time, this process led to change in a species
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Explain Alfred Wallace’s role in Darwin’s life
Wallace supplied Darwin with birds for his studies and decided to seek Darwin’s help in publishing his own ideas on evolution. He sent Darwin his theory in 1858, which nearly replicated Darwin’s own.
Explain the theory of evolution’s importance to biology
Allows us to understand how life adapts to its environment over time is important for understanding survival
Define evolution. Give examples
The gradual development of something. Disease resistance
Explain the four major bodies of evidence discussed in class
The Fossil Record
- > Shows change in species in our time
Geographic Distribution of Living Species
- > Similar environments will contain similar species because natural selection selects similar successful traits
Homologous Body Structures
- > Organisms have similar structures but serve different functions due to their form
Similarities in Embryology
- > Developmental pathways of certain groups of organisms are very similar. ie. all have tail as a fetus
Explain the importance of variation in a species
It allows the species to adapt to a changing environment.
Define variation. Give examples
Difference among members of the same species for a particular trait. Ie. hummingbird beak size
Define natural selection. Give examples
The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
Ie. snails with light vs dark shells
Define adaptation. Give examples
Process by which an animal or plant species becomes fitted to its environment (physical or behavioural); it is the result of natural selection.
