evolution and genetics

Question 1

what was lamarcks theory

Answer 1

the characteristics developed in life would be passed to the offspring

Question 2

when did Darwin develop his theory of evolution

Answer 2

he returned from his world trip on ‘the beagle’ in 1837 then developed his theory in 1838

Question 3

what was the breakthrough for Darwins ideas

Answer 3

Galapagos finches and their beaks

Question 4

define functionalism

Answer 4

characteristics of living organisms perform useful functions

Question 5

define evolution

Answer 5

A gradual change in the structure and physiology of a plant or animal species as a result of natural selection

Question 6

define natural selection

Answer 6

The traits best suited to the environment will be passed onto the next generation

Question 7

who coined the term ‘survival of the fittest’

Answer 7

Herbert Spencer

Question 8

what key factors separates humans and apes

Answer 8

upright posture, opposable thumb, speech

Question 9

what has happened to the human brain during evolution

Answer 9

increased in size- mainly the cerebellum, great volume of the cerebral cortex

Question 10

what 2 basic facts did Darwin not understand which formed the basis of his theory of evolution

Answer 10

1.Why conspecifics (individuals of the same species) differ from one another
2. How anatomical, physiological and behavioural characteristics are passed on from parent to offspring

Question 11

where are genes located

Answer 11

on chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of every cell

Question 12

how many pairs of chromosomes do humans have

Answer 12

23 pairs

Question 13

how many chromosomes in a diploid cell

Answer 13

46 chromosomes

Question 14

how many chromosomes in a haploid cell

Answer 14

23 chromosomes (egg in the female, sperm in the male)

Question 15

how do diploid cells replicate

Answer 15

mitosis- generates a complete copy of the cells genetic information

Question 16

how are haploid cells created

Answer 16

meiosis- half the number of chromosomes assigned to each cell- the chromosomes are randomly assigned to each gamete

Question 17

what are the two corresponding genes in a chromosome pair called

Answer 17

alleles- each parent contributes one allele in each pair

Question 18

what proportion of your genes do you share with your relatives

Answer 18

100%- identical twins/yourself
50%- mother, father, sister, brother, child
25%- aunt, grandparents, uncle, nephew
12.5%- cousin, great grandparents

Question 19

who first described the double helix structure of DNA

Answer 19

James watson and Francis crick

Question 20

what is DNA

Answer 20

Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) that coil around each other to form a double helix- Carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms

Question 21

what do genes do

Answer 21

make proteins- which are used for the structure, function and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs- takes place in the cytoplasm

Question 22

what are proteins made up of

Answer 22

hundreds/thousands of amino acids