Evolution

Question 1

Define Evolution

Answer 1

Described as a change in inherited characteristics of a population over time through the process of natural selection forming a new species .

Question 2

What was Alfred Russel Wallace most known for ?

Answer 2

The theory of speciation

Question 3

What is a species ?

Answer 3

A group of organisms capable of interbreeding to form fertile offspring

Question 4

Theory of speciation.

Answer 4

2 ancestral populations are isolated (usually by geographical barriers)

Mutations occur in the genes of these 2 populations under different environmental conditions

Natural selection occurs and the attributes to survive the 2 different environments are passed down

Question 5

What did John Baptise Lamarck propose

Answer 5

Stated that organisms would change over their lifetime . For example Girafe with a short neck cannot reach new food but over it’s lifetime it’s neck will stretch out allowing it to finally reach higher places.

Question 6

Natural selection

Answer 6

In a species there is a wide range of characteristics due to genetic variation . ( caused by mutations in the organisms genes)

The mutations that give certain organisms over another are more likely to survive and therefore reproduce .

These characteristics that provide advantages are inherited by the offspring of some of these organisms .

Question 7

Evidence of evolution

Answer 7

Fossils

Antibiotic resistance

Question 8

What are fossils?

Answer 8

Remains of dead organisms from millions of year ago which are found in rock

Question 9

How to reduce antibiotic resistance

Answer 9

Doctors only prescribe antibiotics for serious bacterial infections

Patients should finish the whole prescribed course so that the infection has definitely been killed not temporarily slowed.

Do not share antibiotics

Restrict use of agricultural antibiotics

Question 10

Why is selective breeding a natural process

Answer 10

Humans do not change genes of the offspring

Question 11

Stages in selective breeding

Answer 11

Choose 2 organisms with the desired characteristics.

Breed these 2 organisms together.

Select the offspring that have the desired characteristics and breed them

Repeat until all offspring from a birth all have that desired characteristic.

Question 12

Examples of desired characteristics

Answer 12

Crops with a higher yield
Animals with particular temperaments
Farm animals which have a certain amount of meat or wool

Question 13

Problems of selective breeding

Answer 13

Interbreeding can cause a build up of harmful characteristics
Reduces variation
Inbred offspring are more vulnerable to disease

Question 14

Advantages of selective breeding

Answer 14

Disease resistant organisms
Increased crop yields make more profits and feeds more people
Can produce domesticated animals