Evolution Review Questions [first 9 = chapter 7] Flashcards
What is the name of the theory that states that geological changes are slow and gradual and that natural laws and processes have not changed over time? Which scientist is associated with this theory?
Uniformitarianism; Charles Lyell
What is the name of the theory that states that the pattern of fossils could be accounted for by a series of global disasters that wiped out most species on Earth? Which scientist is associated with this theory?
Catastrophism; Georges Cuvier
Which part of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck’s theory does not fit with Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection?
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that characteristics acquired during an individual organism’s lifetime are passed on to their offspring. (Charles Darwin proposed that the characteristics are already present due to natural variations; if they are adaptive, they will be passed on in greater proportion to the next generation)
During his trip on the HMS Beagle, what observations did Charles Darwin make with regard to biogeography?
Charles Darwin observed that fossil species that were similar to living species had the same geographical pattern of distribution (biogeography), suggesting that the living species had evolved from these fossil species.
Name 2 unique species found on the Galapagos islands & describe what is unique about each of them
Marine iguana - No other aquatic iguana species in the world
Flightless cormorant - No other species of cormorant that does not fly
The forelimbs of the human, horse, cat, bat, and whale have very similar bone structure, but they are adapted to carry out very different functions. This is an example of a _____ feature. What inference can be made about these organisms?
Homologous; can infer that they have common evolutionary origin (ex. a common ancestor)
The extra toes on pigs’ feet that do not touch the ground are examples of ______ features. What inference can be made about the existence of these features?
Vestigial; can infer that the pigs descended from an ancestral species where the toes were used
The wings of birds & the wings of butterflies are both broad, thin, light, and well adapted to their function of flight. They are examples of ____ features. What inference can be made about the mechanism of evolution of these kinds of features?
Analogous; can infer that a similar function (or environment) can lead to similar characteristics developing in organisms that are distantly related
The evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of ______ selection. The selective breeding of dog breeds is an example of ___ selection.
Natural; Artificial
Cheetahs have very little genetic diversity because their population was reduced to just 7 individuals 10000 years ago. This is an example of the _______ effect.
bottleneck effect
The human population of Iceland was started with a relatively small initial population (primarily of
Norwegian, Scottish, and Irish origin) more than 1000 years ago. This is an example of the
___________________ effect.
founder effect
Over many generations, a population of hummingbirds gradually has longer and longer bills (beaks). This is an example of ___________________ selection.
directional
Over many generations, a population of hummingbirds has an even greater percentage of individuals with bills of an average length. This is an example of ___________________ selection.
stabilizing
Over many generations, a population of hummingbirds gradually has longer and longer bills, that allow them to feed on certain flowers that have extremely long nectar tubes. This is an example of what pattern of evolution?
coevolution
Give an example of a human genetic mutation that is beneficial in some circumstances, but harmful in others. What determines if a mutation is beneficial?
The sickle cell anemia allele is generally harmful because it affects the health of the individual; in areas of Africa where malaria is prevalent it can be beneficial because presence of the allele gives the individual resistanct to malaria. The environment determines if a mutation is beneficial or harmful.
What are the 2 most common forms of sexual selection?
female mate selection (females choosing males to mate with) & male-versus-male competition (males competing with each other for territory & access to females for mating).
If a population evolves into separate species while within the same geographic area, it is called
___________________ speciation.
sympatric
The evolution of a single species into many new species, filling a variety of formerly empty ecological niches is called ___________________ or ___________________.
adaptive radiation or divergent evolution
The similar body shapes of sharks and dolphins (even though they are not closely related) is an example of ___________________ evolution.
convergent
Male frogs of different species have unique calls that attract only females of their own species.
This is an example of ___________________ isolation, which is a ___________________
reproductive isolating mechanism.
behavioural; prezygotic
Zebroids, the hybrid offspring of matings between horses and zebras, cannot reproduce.
This is an example of ___________________ which is a ___________________
reproductive isolating mechanism.
hybrid sterility; postzygotic
