Topic 4 - Darwin And Wallace’s Theories And Evolution By Natural Selection

Question 1

Who developed the theory of speciation?

Answer 1

Alfred Russel Wallace

Wallace’s contributions were crucial in the formulation of evolutionary theory alongside Darwin.

Question 2

What happens to individuals lacking survival characteristics in a changing environment?

Answer 2

They die out.

Question 3

With whom did Alfred Russel Wallace publish joint studies?

Answer 3

Charles Darwin.

Question 4

What was the impact of the publication of ‘On the Origin of Species’?

Answer 4

Darwin received credit for the theory of evolution.

Question 5

What was one of Wallace’s important works related to animal characteristics?

Answer 5

Warning colouration in animals.

Question 6

What is the first step in the process of speciation?

Answer 6

Variation exists within a population as a result of genetic mutations.

Question 7

What is selected for through natural selection?

Answer 7

Alleles which provide a survival advantage.

Question 8

What can cause populations of a species to become isolated?

Answer 8

Physical barriers such as a rock fall.

Question 9

What may lead to the selection of different alleles in a new environment?

Answer 9

Different alleles may be advantageous.

Question 10

What increases genetic variation between two isolated populations over time?

Answer 10

The selection of different alleles.

Question 11

What occurs when two populations can no longer breed together to produce fertile offspring?

Answer 11

A new species has formed.

Question 12

What was Charles Darwin’s profession?

Answer 12

Scientist and naturalist.

Question 13

What theory did Charles Darwin put forward?

Answer 13

The theory of evolution.

Question 14

What supported Darwin’s theory of evolution?

Answer 14

Experimentation and knowledge of geology and fossils.

Question 15

In what year did Darwin publish ‘On the Origin of Species’?

Answer 15

1859.

Question 16

What causes variation within species?

Answer 16

Mutations in DNA.

Question 17

What is referred to as ‘survival of the fittest’?

Answer 17

Organisms with characteristics most suited to the environment survive to reproductive age.

Question 18

What happens to beneficial characteristics in a population over generations?

Answer 18

They are passed on to the next generation.

Question 19

What happens to the frequency of alleles for advantageous characteristics over many generations?

Answer 19

It increases within the population.

Question 20

What was one reason for the controversy surrounding his ideas?

Answer 20

It contradicted the idea that God was the creator of all species on Earth.

This reflects the conflict between scientific theories and religious beliefs at the time.

Question 21

What was a significant limitation in supporting his ideas?

Answer 21

There was not enough evidence at the time as few studies had been done on how organisms change over time.

This highlights the early stages of evolutionary biology and the need for more empirical research.

Question 22

What was unknown at the time that contributed to the controversy?

Answer 22

The mechanism of inheritance and variation were not known at the time.

This lack of understanding hindered the acceptance of evolutionary theories.