Evolution Review GUide

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations

Question 2

Who was James Hutton and what did he propose?

Answer 2

He suggested that the earth has been shaped from geological processes over a very long period of time.

Question 3

Who was Charles Lyell?

Answer 3

Geological processes that shaped the earth over a long period of time in the past are the same processes that operate today.

Question 4

Natural Selection

Answer 4

Survival of the fittest. Those with traits that are successful with their genetic traits will pass them on and their species will live on.

Question 5

Homologous Structures

Answer 5

Basic structures appear in different, but related organisms. This indicates they have a common ancestor.

Question 6

Example of Homologous Structure

Answer 6

Bird Wing and a Human Arm

Question 7

Analogous Structures

Answer 7

Body parts that serve similar functions, but don’t share structure and development
(No common ancestor)

Question 8

Example of Analogous Structure

Answer 8

Wing of Bee and Wing of bird

Question 9

Vestigial Organ

Answer 9

Inherited from ancestors but have since lost their original size and function

Question 10

Example of Vestigial Organ

Answer 10

Human - 3rd eyelid

Question 11

Why do Vestigial Organs exist?

Answer 11

Because they don’t affect the organisms fitness or quality of life, so they aren’t eliminated through natural selection.

Question 12

Gene Pool

Answer 12

Organisms that share a common group of genes

Question 13

Polygenic Traits

Answer 13

Trait that is controlled by more than 2 genes

Question 14

Mutations

Answer 14

A change in DNA Sequence

Question 15

Biogeography

Answer 15

Study of where organisms live now and where their ancestors lived in the past