Natural Selection

Question 1

Theory of special creation

Answer 1

Each species is a unique “type” created by God.

Question 2

Theory of evolution

Answer 2

species have changed through time

Question 3

fossil

Answer 3

physical trace of an organism that lived in the past

Question 4

fossil record

Answer 4

collection of all known fossils

Question 5

extinction

Answer 5

organism that is no longer alive

Question 6

Transitional forms

Answer 6

When a species disappears from the fossil record, a similar species often appears (often happens in the same geographic area)

Question 7

vestigial trait

Answer 7

structure that has no function, but is similar to functioning structures in related species

Question 8

Geographic relationships

Answer 8

Species in the same geographic area (e.g., nearby islands) often seem to be closely related

Question 9

homology

Answer 9

similarity that is due to common ancestry

Question 10

Genetic homology

Answer 10

homology at the level of genetic coding

Question 11

Developmental homology

Answer 11

homology in the traits of embryos (developing organisms)

Question 12

Structural homology

Answer 12

homology at the level of developed organism

Question 13

Variation

Answer 13

The individuals that make a population vary in the traits they possess (size, shape, physiological details)

Question 14

Heritability

Answer 14

Some of these differences can be inherited by offspring

Question 15

Differential reproductive success

Answer 15

In each generation, some organisms leave more offspring than others

Question 16

Selection

Answer 16

Reproductive success is not random, but is influenced by differences in traits, including heritable traits

Question 17

Evolution by natural selection will occur if there is:

Answer 17

• Heritable variation in traits

- Selection (i.e., differential reproductive success) based on these traits

Question 18

Fitness

Answer 18

an ability to do well under natural selection

Question 19

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer 19

individuals change in response to their environment, and pass those changes on to their offspring
-now know that these traits are not usually passed on

Question 20

Goal-directed evolution

Answer 20

organisms evolve towards specific goals

-evidence against this: vestigal traits, bidirectional evolution

Question 21

Acclimation

Answer 21

ability of organisms to respond directly to their environment
- does not affect the traits of their offspring

Question 22

Adaptation

Answer 22

genetic change that increases the fitness of organisms

• does not occur as a direct response to the environment
• very slow
• passed on to offspring

Question 23

Trade-offs

and examples

Answer 23

much of adaptation is result of compromise between conflicting goals
ex: brightly coloured individuals are more attractive to mates….and to predators