Module 4.1 Flashcards
biological species concept has reproductive _________.
isolation
ex. blue footed booby and red footed booby
“the mystery of mysteries” on how species formed( evolve) was given by ?
Charles darwin
who’s idea of evolution preceded Charles Darwin?
sir John Herschel- philosopher
what was the philosphy given by plato?
FIXITY OF SPECIES
small variations(maybe in colour, size, shape) may occur between individuals, but species remain unchanged
-variations were imperfections
what ideas were included in Charles Darwin’s “mystery of mysteries” (ideas on the origin of life)
-strongly influenced by religion and philosophy
-a supernatural being(god) created each type of organism individually at the beginning of time and that ALL MODERN ORGANISM ARE UNCHANGED DESCENDANTS OF THOSE ANCESTORS.
define fixity of species?
all modern organisms are unchanged descendants of their ancestors
what were the belief of Aristotle regarding fixity of species and what was the conclusion made based on his observation?
viewed species as fixed but his observations concluded that life-forms could be arranged on a ladder of increasing complexity
Latin: Fossus= ______________?
having been dug up
who was the first person to look at fossils and compare their structure?
Baron Georges cuvier
father of palaeontology
(study of fossils)
what do u mean by fossils? also name some type of fossils
any trace of extinct species that lived in the past and no longer exist such as bones, branches, shells, tracks, impressions etc.
is Egyptian mummy considered as fossil?
mummies are not fossils, since they are humans and humans aren’t extinct
most fossils are more than how many years old?
> 10,000
recognition of extinction of an IRISH ELK was an important contribution to the understanding of the changing nature of life on our planet, was made by whom?
Georges Cuvier, 1812
a paper on Irish elk
that extinction in fact real
what is a fossil record?
all fossils found and described in the scientific literature
what was the method used by Georges curvier to develop a system to classify animals? and him being the first to use it
comparative anatomy
what were his thoughts on the comparative anatomy system to classify animals?
certain parts were directly linked to function and most parts of the body work together , even if one part is altered- the integrated structure/ function of the organism will fail
when Napoleon armies invaded Egypt, what specimens were brought by them?
specimens of mummified humans and animals
upon dissecting of animal mummies what gave Georges cuvier a good evidence that species were fixed?
dissection of animal mummies- identical to modern species- no change(species were fixed)
Georges cuvier proposed that earth was only _________ years old and this idea of his fit well with religious teachings.
6000 yrs old
name the European naturalists of 1700s who began to quietly suggest that life forms are not fixed?
George Louis Leclerc
Erasmus darwin
jean-baptiste Lamarck
in late 18th and 19th century _______ arose related to the fixity of species.
problems
plato, Aristotle, carolus linneaus, Georgen cuvier belived in _________.
fixity of species
what were some discoveries made by european explorers in late 18-19 century?
-more diverse organisms, unique flair and fauna in other parts of the world.(which were not present in Europe) which in fact- challenged conventional ideas(fixity of species)
what were the suggestions made by Georges Louis Leclerc
-suggested that living things do change through time
what were the factors of change according to Georges Louis Leclerc and which was the key one?
STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE being the key one, migration, geographical isolation and overcrowding
Georges louis Leclerc publicly __________ the idea that one species could evlove into another
rejected
what were the beliefs of Erasmus Darwin ?
-believed that evolution had occurred, (fixity of species concept wasn’t right)
-aware that modern species were different from fossil types
(looked similar but not identical)
-observed artificial selection and that(offspring inherited feature from their parents)
-unaware of the cause of evolution
Erasmus Darwin was unaware of the _______ of evolution
mechanism
what was the idea behind baron Georges considering the fixity of species as not valid?
-noted abrupt change in layers(diff layers had diff organism, not randomly)
-observed some species in fossil record that were no longer present in modern day
what were the proposition made by baron Georges Cuvier after his observations?
proposed that the species were destroyed due to multiple catastrophes(extinction) eg. Noah’s flood
Hence, extinction is possible
which of the following person did not believe in fixity of species?
Aristotle
Georges Cuvier
Jean baptiste Lamarck
carolus linneaus
Charles Darwin when we started voyage Hms
captain Robert Fitzroy- HMS beagle
Jean baptiste Lamarck
what was the perspective of jean baptiste Lamarck on seeing the first fossil evidence ?
that fossil provided a strong evidence for the idea that organisms change gradually over time, which he called “true evolution”
according to jean batiste Lamarck. Fossils in sedimentary rocks show a
succession from ____________
forms early in fossil record (i.e. in layers
at the bottom) to much more _______
forms later in fossil record (i.e. in layers at the top).
simple morphological
complex
what were the 3 concepts given by jean Lamarck that provide ground work for evolution?
- new species have appeared gradually
- all species have changed, but rates of change are unequal
- species do not reappear once extinct.
from whom did modern idea of evolution stemmed from? and what did they propose?
Charles darwin,
proposed that species arose from pre existing species through a process of DESCENT WITH MODIFICATION
Prof. J. Henslow recommended him to Capt. Robert FitzRoy as a ___________
for a 2 yr voyage around the world on the H.M.S Beagle and then became ________.
gentleman’s companion
ship’s Naturalist- recording the weather, geological features, plants, animals, fossils, rocks, minerals & indigenous people.
what were the initial plan for the voyage?
- to continue his own investigations of geology and marine invertebrates
2.to collect specimens of other organisms that might be new to science,
for experts to examine and describe on the Beagle’s return to England.
who assisted and took notes for Charles on the beagle voyage?
Syms Covington
on observing diff tortoise species and other diff species on Galápagos Islands, Darwin saw ________ as crucial for understanding species change over time.
variation
according to Darwin on observations made on tortoises of galapagos island, - _________ favored taller-trunked cactus on tortoise-inhabited islands, as they were less likely to be eaten
Natural selection
adaptations made by cactus populations on Galapagos islands were due to ________ by tortoises?
foraging pressurre
on Darwin’s HMS beagle voyage which island he visited that had a lack of diversity/
Cocos (keeling island) had a lack of diversity as compared to any galapagos island, despite being same in size.
Which of the following concepts did Lamarck propose regarding evolution?
a) New species appear suddenly.
b) All species remain unchanged over time.
c) Once extinct, species can reappear.
d) All species have changed gradually over time.
d) All species have changed gradually over time.
Lamarck believed that evolution occurred through:
a) Inheritance of acquired characteristics.
b) Random mutations.
c) Natural selection.
d) Genetic drift.
a) Inheritance of acquired characteristics.
According to Lamarck, what is the relationship between variation and evolution?
a) Variation is unrelated to evolution.
b) Variation only occurs in isolated populations.
c) Variation is the key driver of evolution.
d) Variation leads to extinction.
c) Variation is the key driver of evolution.
What was one of Lamarck’s key misconceptions about evolution?
a) Species evolve due to changes in the environment.
b) Traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime are passed onto offspring.
c) Evolution occurs rapidly over short periods.
d) Species remain unchanged over time.
b) Traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime are passed onto offspring.
Lamarck’s theory of evolution is characterized by his belief in:
a) Gradualism.
b) Punctuated equilibrium.
c) Catastrophism.
d) Uniformitarianism.
a) Gradualism.
Which event during Charles Darwin’s voyage contributed to his understanding of the Earth’s history and the time available for evolution?
a) Observing the variations in finch species on the Galápagos Islands.
b) Experiencing an earthquake in Chile.
c) Visiting the Cocos Islands.
d) Reading “Principles of Geology” by Charles Lyell.
b) Experiencing an earthquake in Chile.
How did Darwin’s observation of variations in species on the Galápagos Islands contribute to his understanding of evolution?
a) It showed him that species remain unchanged over time.
b) It highlighted the role of adaptation and natural selection in shaping species.
c) It supported Lamarck’s theory of evolution.
d) It provided evidence for the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
b) It highlighted the role of adaptation and natural selection in shaping species.
What did Darwin observe about the distribution of bird species on the Galápagos Islands?
a) Each island had the same set of bird species.
b) Species were randomly distributed across all islands.
c) Each island had a unique set of bird species.
d) Birds were absent from some islands while abundant on others.
c) Each island had a unique set of bird species.
What was the significance of Darwin’s visit to the Cocos Islands?
a) It provided evidence for the sudden appearance of new species.
b) It demonstrated the uniform distribution of species across different islands.
c) It highlighted the vast diversity of life in the surrounding sea.
d) It showed a limited diversity of animals but a dominant presence of coconut plants.
d) It showed a limited diversity of animals but a dominant presence of coconut plants.
Lamarck’s theory of evolution was in contrast to Darwin’s theory primarily because:
a) Lamarck proposed that traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime could be passed on to offspring.
b) Darwin proposed that evolution occurs through natural selection.
c) Lamarck believed in the sudden appearance of new species.
d) Darwin believed that species remain unchanged over time.
a) Lamarck proposed that traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime could be passed on to offspring.
What concept, proposed by James Hutton and promoted by Charles Lyell, did Darwin encounter during his voyage that influenced his understanding of Earth’s history?
a) Catastrophism
b) Uniformitarianism
c) Gradualism
d) Punctuated equilibrium
b) Uniformitarianism
Which of the following is an example of a flightless bird observed by Darwin during his voyage?
a) Blue-footed booby
b) Greater frigate bird
c) Steamer duck
d) Galapagos Island penguin
d) Galapagos Island penguin
Darwin collected fossils during his voyage and observed changes over time. What did he notice about the fossils?
a) Recent fossils were more primitive compared to older fossils.
b) Recent fossils were more similar to present-day forms than older fossils.
c) Older fossils were more diverse compared to recent fossils.
d) Fossils remained unchanged over time.
b) Recent fossils were more similar to present-day forms than older fossils.
Darwin encountered two morphological forms of giant tortoises on different islands in the Galapagos. What were these forms characterized by?
a) Differences in shell coloration
b) Variations in neck length
c) Differences in shell shape
d) Variations in leg length
What adaptation did Darwin ob
c) Differences in shell shape
What adaptation did Darwin observe in the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia echios) on islands with tortoises?
a) Taller trunks to avoid being eaten by tortoises
b) Smaller spines to deter tortoise feeding
c) Increased water content to attract tortoises
d) Enhanced photosynthetic abilities in the presence of tortoises
a) Taller trunks to avoid being eaten by tortoises
Which observation during Darwin’s voyage led him to realize the importance of variation in species?
a) Similarity of marine and land iguanas on different islands
b) Distribution of different species of finches across the Galapagos
c) Variation in the beak shapes of finch species
d) Presence of flightless birds on the Galapagos Islands
c) Variation in the beak shapes of finch species
After returning from his voyage in 1836, what did Charles Darwin spend a lot of time trying to understand?
a) The geography of the places he visited
b) The diversity of organisms he saw and how they arose
c) The history of the Beagle voyage
d) The cultural practices of indigenous communities
b) The diversity of organisms he saw and how they arose
What was one of Darwin’s main plans for the voyage?
a) To explore new territories for colonization
b) To search for buried treasures
c) To collect specimens of organisms new to science
d) To map out new trade routes
c) To collect specimens of organisms new to science
⭐️Who was responsible for studying fossil mammals among Darwin’s team of experts?
a) Rev. Leonard Jenyns
b) Prof. Richard Owen
c) Mr. Thomas Bell
d) Mr. John Gould
b) Prof. Richard Owen
Which expert was assigned to study fish specimens collected during the voyage?
a) Prof. Richard Owen
b) Rev. Leonard Jenyns
c) Mr. Thomas Bell
d) Mr. John Gould
b) Rev. Leonard Jenyns
What was the main responsibility of Mr. Thomas Bell among Darwin’s team?
a) Studying living mammals
b) Examining reptiles
c) Analyzing fossil shells
d) Investigating birds
b) Examining reptiles
What was the role of Dr. Joseph Dalton Hooker in Darwin’s team?
a) Studying reptiles
b) Analyzing fossil shells
c) Investigating living mammals and some insects
d) focusing on plant specimens
d) focusing on plant specimens
⭐️who was responsible for the bird specimens in Darwin’s team?
Mr. John Gould
How did the feedback from experts regarding his specimens influence Darwin’s work?
a) It had no impact on his theories
b) It profoundly affected his developing theories
c) It led him to abandon his research
d) It caused him to doubt the validity of his findings
b) It profoundly affected his developing theories
What was Toxodon platensis?
a) A modern-day rodent species
b) A fossil mammal resembling a giant rodent
c) A type of extinct bird
d) A species of ancient reptile
b) A fossil mammal resembling a giant rodent
Which living animal is most similar in appearance to Toxodon platensis?
a) Elephant
b) Rhinoceros
c) Capybara
d) Camel
Capybara
What was Macrauchenia patachonica known for?
a) Being closely related to modern camels
b) Having a hump like modern-day camels
c) Resembling a giant armadillo
d) Having a short trunk and feet similar to rhinoceros
d) Having a short trunk and feet similar to rhinoceros
Which living animal did Macrauchenia patachonica most resemble according to Prof. Richard Owen?
a) Llama
b) Elephant
c) Rhinoceros
d) Capybara
a) Llama
What was Glyptodon?
a) A species of ancient bird
b) A giant armadillo
c) A type of extinct reptile
d) A modern-day mammal
b) A giant armadillo
Why did Darwin believe that the modern armadillos might have evolved from Glyptodon?
a) Because both species lived in different areas
b) Because both species were unrelated
c) Because both species were found in the same area
d) Because modern armadillos were larger than Glyptodon
c) Because both species were found in the same area
hat was the significance of the discovery of Toxodon platensis and Macrauchenia patachonica during Darwin’s voyage?
a) They provided evidence supporting the biblical account of creation.
b) They disproved the theory of evolution.
c) They showed similarities between modern and extinct species, suggesting a common ancestry.
d) They confirmed that all extinct mammals were unrelated to modern mammals.
c) They showed similarities between modern and extinct species, suggesting a common ancestry.
What did Darwin observe about the limbs of mammals that provided evidence for a common ancestry?
a) They looked identical and served the same functions.
b) They looked very different but served the same functions.
c) They looked very different but had similar skeletal structures.
d) They looked identical but had different skeletal structures.
c) They looked very different but had similar skeletal structures.
What conclusion did Darwin draw from his observation of the limbs of mammals?
a) Mammals have evolved independently from each other.
b) Different mammals have completely different limb structures.
c) Mammals share a common ancestry despite variations in limb appearance and function.
d) Limb structures in mammals are unrelated to their ancestry.
c) Mammals share a common ancestry despite variations in limb appearance and function.
What was significant about Darwin’s realization regarding the mockingbirds and finches on the Galápagos Islands?
a) They were completely unrelated to any species on the mainland.
b) They shared a common ancestor with species on the mainland.
c) They originated from species in Asia.
d) They were distinct species with no ancestral connections.
b) They shared a common ancestor with species on the mainland.
Who assisted Darwin in identifying different species of mockingbirds collected from the Galápagos Islands?
a) Charles Lyell
b) Richard Owen
c) John Gould
d) Joseph Hooker
c) John Gould
What did Darwin’s observation of mockingbirds on different islands suggest about species stability?
a) Species remain unchanged over time.
b) Different islands have identical species.
c) Variations within species challenge species stability.
d) Each island has its own unique species.
c) Variations within species challenge species stability.
During his voyage, Darwin observed variations in mockingbirds on different islands. What was his observation about mockingbirds on Floreana Island compared to those on other islands?
a) They were smaller and lighter in color.
b) They had smaller beaks.
c) They were bigger, darker, and had larger beaks.
d) They were brightly colored.
c) They were bigger, darker, and had larger beaks.
What did Darwin initially think the Galápagos finches were?
a) Grosbeaks
b) Blackbirds
c) Eagles
d) Sparrows
a) Grosbeaks
b) Blackbirds
Which bird species did Darwin compare as in close in appearance on the pacific coastal region of sth. America, Galápagos finches to?
a) Blue-black grassquit finch
b) Bald eagle
c) Golden eagle
d) Barn owl
a) Blue-black grassquit finch
What did Darwin conclude about the Galápagos finches in relation to their origin?
a) They originated from North America.
b) They evolved independently on each Galápagos island.
c) They shared a common ancestor with the blue-black grassquit finch from the South American mainland.
d) They migrated from Europe.
c) They shared a common ancestor with the blue-black grassquit finch from the South American mainland.
What did Darwin’s observation of the similarity in skeletal structure among different mammal limbs suggest to him?
a) That mammals have identical limbs
b) That mammals have different ancestors
c) That mammals share a common ancestry
d) That mammals evolved from birds
c) That mammals share a common ancestry
What did Darwin’s 1837 notebooks reveal about his understanding of plants and animals?
a) That plants and animals are unrelated
b) That plants and animals are randomly distributed
c) That plants and animals are related
d) That plants and animals evolved separately
c) That plants and animals are related
Which of the following provided evidence for Darwin’s understanding of common ancestry?
a) Artificial selection
b) Artificial breeding
c) Natural selection
d) Crossbreeding
b) Artificial breeding
What book did Charles Darwin read in October 1838 that significantly influenced his understanding of natural selection?
a) “On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin
b) “Principles of Geology” by Charles Lyell
c) “Essay on the Principle of Population” by Thomas Malthus
d) “The Descent of Man” by Charles Darwin
c) “Essay on the Principle of Population” by Thomas Malthus
According to Thomas Malthus, what was the main consequence of human populations outgrowing their food supply?
a) Increased social cooperation
b) Greater access to resources
c) Competition for survival
d) Decreased population growth
c) Competition for survival
How did Darwin interpret Malthus’s ideas in relation to organisms in nature?
a) He rejected the notion of competition among organisms.
b) He proposed that organisms don’t compete for resources.
c) He believed that only the strongest individuals survive.
d)He suggested that organisms may also compete for survival.
d)He suggested that organisms may also compete for survival.
What concept did Darwin develop as a result of his interpretation of Malthus’s ideas?
a) Genetic drift
b) Natural selection
c) Artificial selection
d) Catastrophism
b) Natural selection
How did Thomas Malthus’s economic theory influence Darwin’s understanding of natural selection?
a) It emphasized the importance of cooperation among individuals.
b) It highlighted the role of environmental changes in evolution.
c) It suggested that organisms compete for limited resources.
d) It proposed that random mutations drive evolutionary change.
c) It suggested that organisms compete for limited resources.
What did Darwin observe about population sizes in nature?
a) Population sizes tend to decrease over time.
b) Population sizes increase exponentially if all individuals reproduce successfully.
c) Population sizes remain constant regardless of reproduction rates.
d) Population sizes fluctuate randomly without any pattern.
b) Population sizes increase exponentially if all individuals reproduce successfully.
According to Darwin, why do populations tend to remain stable in size despite potential exponential growth?
a) Due to a lack of resources in the environment.
b) Because individuals of a population struggle for existence.
c) Because reproduction rates decrease as population size increases.
d) Due to seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions.
d) Due to seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions.
What inference did Darwin make based on the observation of limited resources in nature?
a) That individuals within a population do not compete for resources.
b) That resources are distributed evenly among all individuals in a population.
c) That a struggle for existence occurs among individuals of a population.
d) That resources are abundant and do not affect population dynamics.
c) That a struggle for existence occurs among individuals of a population.
What did Darwin infer from the observation that members of a population vary extensively in their characteristics?
a) That variation within a population is not heritable.
b) That all individuals within a population share identical traits.
c) That offspring do not resemble their parents.
d) That much of this variation is heritable.
d) That much of this variation is heritable.
What inference did Darwin make regarding individuals with traits that give them a higher probability of surviving and reproducing?
a) They are less likely to leave offspring.
b) They are not affected by environmental factors.
c) They have lower fitness compared to other individuals.
d) They are more likely to leave offspring and pass on their traits.
d) They are more likely to leave offspring and pass on their traits.
Who was Alfred Russel Wallace?
a) A British economist
b) A British naturalist
c) A French philosopher
d) An American inventor
b) A British naturalist
What significant contribution did Alfred Russel Wallace make to evolutionary theory?
a) He formulated the theory of relativity.
b) He discovered the process of photosynthesis.
c) He independently developed ideas about evolution through natural selection.
d) He invented the first airplane.
c) He independently developed ideas about evolution through natural selection.
What event led Alfred Russel Wallace to formulate his ideas on evolution?
a) His expedition to South America
b) His encounter with malaria in Indonesia
c) His reading of works by Charles Darwin
d) His collaboration with Henry Walter Bates
b) His encounter with malaria in Indonesia
Who was known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his support of evolutionary theory?
a) Alfred Russel Wallace
b) Charles Lyell
c) Thomas Henry Huxley
d) Joseph Hooker
c) Thomas Henry Huxley
What was the subject of the joint paper presented by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace to the Linnean Society?
a) Theory of relativity
b) Evolution through natural selection
c) Process of photosynthesis
d) Discovery of gravity
b) Evolution through natural selection
What caused controversy when Charles Darwin published “The Origin of Species”?
a) Its focus on economic theories
b) Its religious and scientific implications
c) Its promotion of creationism
d) Its rejection of evolutionary theory
b) Its religious and scientific implications
What was the title of the famous book published by Charles Darwin in 1859?
a) “The Theory of Relativity”
b) “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”
c) “The Principles of Evolution”
d) “The Creation of Life”
b) “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”
When was Darwin’s theory of evolution widely accepted by the intellectual community in Britain and universally?
a) By the 1920s
b) By the 1860s
c) By the 1940s
d) By the 1880s
intellectual community of Britain- b
universally- c
