Mechanisms of Evolution

Question 1

Gradualism

Answer 1

Hutton

Question 2

Natural selection and biogeography

Answer 2

Wallace

Question 3

Basic Genetics

Answer 3

Mendel

Question 4

Iron law of population

Answer 4

Malthus

Question 5

The modern synthesis

Answer 5

Fisher, Haldane , wright and others

Question 6

Earths geology and geography changes suddenly and violently over short time spans

Answer 6

Catastrophism

Question 7

A complexifying force pushes organisms to be more complex throughout their lives, meaning the most complex organisms are the oldest life on Earth

Answer 7

Lamarckism

Question 8

Earth’s geology and geography have changed ( and continue to change) both gradually and in violent events over long spans of time

Answer 8

Uniformitarianism

Question 9

Populations grow geometrically, but resources on l only increase in a linear manner, leading to a struggle for survival

Answer 9

Iron law of population

Question 10

Malthusian competition, genetic variation and mutation, natural selection and mendelian inheritance all contribute to and drive evolutionary change

Answer 10

The modern synthesis

Question 11

Which of the following is a commonly held misconception about evolution ?

Answer 11

Evolution is
purposeful and directed toward and optimum goal of increasing complexity and efficiency in all species

Question 12

Sexual selection and non-random mating

Answer 12

Ring Finger

Question 13

Genetic drift and small population size

Answer 13

Pinky Finger

Question 14

Natural selection

Answer 14

Thumb

Question 15

Gene flow and migration

Answer 15

Index Finger

Question 16

Mutation and Genetic variation

Answer 16

Middle Finger

Question 17

Observing the musculature and bone arrangement of a human hand and a chimpanzee hand reveals exceptional similarities in both structure and function. These two hands are likely derived from a common ancestor.

Answer 17

Homologous structure

Question 18

Samples of DNA sequences coding for ribosome production are incredibly similar among all Eukaryotes. This provides evidence that all Eukaryotes likely came from a single ancestor who had had ribosomes similar to ours.

Answer 18

Molecular Biology

Question 19

Observing the skeletal remains of modern snakes reveals small boney growths where a pelvis would have existed and legs would have attached. These boney remnants give clues that the ancient ancestors of snakes would have been reptiles that had legs.

Answer 19

Vestigial structures

Question 20

Since the Eocene, remains of small horse-like organisms have appeared in the fossil record. Once collected, these samples provide for a clear evolutionary timeline showing how primitive horse ancestors into modern day horses.

Answer 20

The fossil record

Question 21

Observing the current species distribution and fossil remains of mammals in South America and Africa shows incredible similarities in the types of mammals on these two continents. Mammals that evolved prior to the break-up of Pangaea area found on both continents, whereas mammals that evolved after the break-up are only found on one continent or the other

Answer 21

Biogeography

Question 22

A sudden change in climate causes the island to become very cold. It begins to snow all the time. The Hornless Heffalumps are better able to burrow and hide in the snow. This protects them from predators. The Horned Heffalump’s bright purple horns make them easy to spot in the snow, and they are killed by predators at a higher rate.

Answer 22

Natural Selection

Question 23

The Horn on a Heffalump is always purple. One day, a baby Heffalump is born with green horns. His descendants also have green horns. This trait becomes common after 10 generations.

Answer 23

Mutation

Question 24

A population of only 30 Heffalumps is very small. Once day, a tremendous tsunami engulfs the island, killing 26 of the Heffalumps. The 4 remaining Heffalumps happen, by sheer chance, to be Hornless. From that point on , having horns is incredibly rare.

Answer 24

Genetic Drift

Question 25

Hornless Heffalumps do not see as picky, and will mate with whomever is available. Although it doesn’t seem ethical, studies show that Horns Heffalumps will only mate with other Horned Heffalumps. This prefeerancees leads to changes in the gene pool and eventually Horned and Horneless become unable to mate due to reproductive isolation

Answer 25

Sexual Selection

Question 26

About 10 Horned Heffalumps decide to build a raft and seal to the mainland, leaving the rest of their population behind.

Answer 26

Gene flow