Evolution - Origin of Ideas about Origin, Development of Theory, Natural Selection v Artificial Seletction and Formation of New Species

Question 1

Define biological evolution:

Answer 1

The change in the genetic composition of living organisms from one generation to the next.

Question 2

Define macro evolution:

Answer 2

The development of new life form or species from earlier life forms over many generation.

Question 3

Define micro evolution:

Answer 3

Small variations that occur within a species that result in small changes in the genotype of the species.

Question 4

Define hypothesis:

Answer 4

An informed assumption that provides a proposed solution to a problem or explanation of a specific phenomenon.

Question 5

Define “theory”:

Answer 5

A well-substantiated (supported by evidence) explanation of a specific phenomenon.

Question 6

Define model:

Answer 6

A visual, mathematical or material representation of a theory or phenomenon.

Question 7

Define fossil record:

Answer 7

The accumulation of all listed and known fossils of different ages that have been discovered by palaeontologists all over the world.

Question 8

Define palaeontology:

Answer 8

The study of plant an animal fossils.

Question 9

What is a palaeontologist?

Answer 9

A scientist who studies fossils.

Question 10

Name the earliest and most primitive bird that is considered the transitional form between reptiles (dinosaurs) and birds:

Answer 10

Archaeopteryx

Question 11

Explain what “descent with modification” means:

Answer 11

The phenomenon that the basic body plan of various plant and animal groups was modified over time to adapt to their changed environments.

Question 12

What are “homologous structures”?

Answer 12

Similar structures with the same body plan that perform different functions in different animals.

Question 13

Define divergent evolution:

Answer 13

The type of evolution where organisms developed from a common ancestor, but followed different evolutionary paths.

Question 14

Define analogous structures:

Answer 14

Body structures with different body plans, but they perform the same function in different organisms.

Question 15

Define convergent evolution:

Answer 15

The type of evolution where organisms are not related. but they develop structures for similar environments completely independent of each other.

Question 16

What is biogeography?

Answer 16

The study of the distribution of existing and extinct plant and animal species in specific geographical regions.

Question 17

Define comparative biochemistry:

Answer 17

The evidence of the idea that all living organisms have a common ancestor because their molecular composition is very similar.

Question 18

What are vestigial structures / organs?

Answer 18

The evidence of the idea that all living organisms have a common ancestor because some organisms have structures / organs that, with disuse, have decreased in size over evolutionary time.

Question 19

Define comparative embryology:

Answer 19

Evidence of the idea that all living organisms have a common ancestor because embryos of vertebrates show certain similarities in early developmental stages.

Question 20

Who was Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck?

Answer 20

A French naturalist who published his theory of evolution in 1809 in his book Philosophie Zoologique

Question 21

Wat is Lamarckism?

Answer 21

A term that describes Lamarck’s ideas that an organisms acquired characteristics are transferred to its offspring.

Question 22

Who was Charles Darwin?

Answer 22

An English naturalist who published his theory of evolution in 1859 as a book called On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection.

Question 23

Define Natural Selection:

Answer 23

The mechanism of evolution where nature selects the individual’s best suited for survival.

Question 24

Define gradualism:

Answer 24

The model of evolution explained by Darwin’s theory as a very slow, gradual change in species over time.

Question 25

Define punctuated equilibrium:

Answer 25

The theory that explains the long periods in the fossil record where species remained unchanged until sudden, rapid changes interrupted their existence.

Question 26

Define selected pressures:

Answer 26

Certain environmental factors that place pressure on the population and serve as a trigger for natural selection.

Question 27

Explain the meaning of artificial selection / selective breeding / unnatural selection:

Answer 27

The deliberate breeding of plants and animals for desired characteristics that would not necessarily benefit the survival of the offspring.

Question 28

Define “breed”:

Answer 28

A group of tame animals (like cattle or dogs) within a species where the appearance is artificially determined over many generations, through artificial selection.

Question 29

Define inbreeding:

Answer 29

Crossbreeding of closely related individuals to maintain desired characteristics.

Question 30

Define outbreeding:

Answer 30

Crossbreeding of unrelated individuals to introduce new or stronger characteristics.

Question 31

Explain continuous variation:

Answer 31

The phenomenon where there is a range of phenotypes for the same characteristic, usually forming a continuous spectrum from one extreme to the other.

Question 32

Explain discontinuous variation:

Answer 32

The phenomenon where phenotypes fit into separate categories, based on a single pair of alleles, with no intermediate forms.

Question 33

Define species:

Answer 33

A group of organisms able to crossbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Question 34

Define speciation:

Answer 34

The evolutionary process whereby new species arise.

Question 35

Define population:

Answer 35

A group of organisms of the same species that occurs in a particular place at a particular time with the ability to interbreed.

Question 36

Define gene pool:

Answer 36

The total number of genes of all reproductive individuals in a particular population.

Question 37

Define gene flow:

Answer 37

The exchange of genes between populations.

Question 38

Define reproductive isolation:

Answer 38

The type of isolation that occurs between a new species and the ancestral species to prevent interbreeding.

Question 39

Define allopatric speciation:

Answer 39

The origin of a new species from an existing species when two populations are separated by a geographical barrier.

Question 40

Define sympatric speciation:

Answer 40

The origin of a new species from an existing species in the same geographical area.

Question 41

Define hybridisation:

Answer 41

The formation of hybrid species through the breeding of unrelated individuals which may also lead to the origin of new species.

Question 42

Define prezygotic isolation:

Answer 42

Reproductive isolating mechanisms that occur before fertilisation to prevent mating and or fertilisation.

Question 43

Define postzygotic isolation:

Answer 43

Reproductive isolating mechanism that occur after fertilisation and cause abnormal development of the zygote so that no viable or fertile offspring can be produced.

Question 44

Explain temporal / seasonal isolation:

Answer 44

Type of reproductive isolation where animal species reproduce at different times of the year.

Question 45

Define behavioural isolation:

Answer 45

The type of reproductive isolation where species-specific courtship occurs.

Question 46

Explain courtship:

Answer 46

The behavioural patterns of male and female animals that indicate sexual maturity and ultimately lead to mating and fertilisation.

Question 47

Define mechanical isolation:

Answer 47

Type of reproductive isolation where flowers of different plant species have various adaptations that make it suitable for pollination by specific pollinators only.

Question 48

Define ecological isolation:

Answer 48

Type of post-zygotic reproductive isolation where organisms live in different habitats or niches in the same environment and utilise different resources which decrease the chances of finding mating partners.

Question 49

Define hybrid isolation:

Answer 49

Type of post-zygotic reproductive isolation where infertile hybrid offspring are produces.