Evolution - Darwin and Lamarck

Question 1

What were the 3 reasons Darwin’s Theory of Evolution was very CONTROVERSIAL at the time?

Answer 1

1. Opposed common RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
2. 50 years until GENES and MUTATIONS were discovered - no explanation of how useful characteristics appeared and genes were passed on
3. LACK of other STUDIES and thus EVIDENCE

Question 2

What did Lamarck (1744-1829) argue?

Answer 2

1. If a characteristic was USED A LOT by an organism then it would become more DEVELOPED in its lifetime,
2. and this ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTIC would be passed on to the NEXT GENERATION

Question 3

Why might scientists develop different hypothesis to explain similar observations? (3)

Answer 3

1. Different BELIEFS (e.g. religious)
2. INFLUENCED by different PEOPLE
3. Just THINK differently

Question 4

How do you find out whose hypothesis is right?

Answer 4

By finding evidence to SUPPORT or DISPROVE each one

Question 5

Why was Lamarck’s hypothesis rejected? Example?

Answer 5

Experiments didn’t support it

e.g. If you amputate a hamster’s leg the hamster’s offspring won’t also have an amputated leg because the new characteristic WON’T have been PASSED ON

Question 6

Why was Darwin’s hypothesis eventually accepted?

Answer 6

The discovery of GENETICS supported Darwin’s idea because it provided an EXPLANATION of how organisms BORN with beneficial characteristics can PASS them on

(i.e. via their genes)

Question 7

What is the name for an accepted hypothesis?

Answer 7

A theory