Topic 1 - Intro

Question 1

Is evolution a linear process?

Answer 1

No, evolution is not linear (ex: we are cousins of the chimps, not direct descendants).

Question 2

What are the 4 steps of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Answer 2

Overproduction, variation, selection, adaptation.

Question 3

How many species of primates are there? And what are they?

Answer 3

5: humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutan.

Question 4

When was the last common ancestor between all 5 species of primates?

Answer 4

12.5 million years ago.

Question 5

How does the “circle of life” way of representing evolution work?

Answer 5

The “circle of life” is a way of representing evolution which places the first common ancestor to all species at the centre of the circle. This was a single-celled organism 2.5 billion years ago. All around are all other species, to this day, highlighting what they share with others.

Question 6

Have any species of humans overlapped in time/space with each other?

Answer 6

Yes. For example, humans very likely inter-bred with neanderthals.