Unit 2: Evolution

Question 1

Definition: Evolution

Answer 1

The process of biological change over time based on relationships between species and their environment.

Question 2

Orphics (ancient greek religion)

Answer 2

Viewed time as cyclical, represented by a cosmic serpent called the ouroboros. They didn’t conceive of time as linear or evolving.

Question 3

Thales (c. 624–547 BCE)

Answer 3

Proposed that life on Earth originated naturally, not from the gods. Believed life came from water and mud. He is credited with the idea that life can be explained through natural processes.

Question 4

Definition: Spontaneous Generation

Answer 4

Life simply coming into existence due to natural forces.

Question 5

Anaximander (611–546 BCE)

Answer 5

Student of Thales who proposed that life spontaneously generated from primordial mud and evolved over time. He is considered the first to propose a theory of evolution.

Question 6

Empedocles (c. 495–435 BCE)

Answer 6

Believed in spontaneous generation of life from mud, with plants preceding animals. He introduced the idea that organisms evolve due to fitness (life changed on Earth because some organisms were more fit to survive than others were), earning him the title “Father of Evolution.”

Question 7

Which ancient Greek philosopher is credited with introducing the idea that organisms evolve due to fitness, thereby earning the title “Father of Evolution”?

Answer 7

Empedocles

Question 8

Preformation Theory

Answer 8

Preformationists believed successive generations of organisms were preformed inside each other. This theory was prominent due to advancements in microscopy.

Question 9

Evolution Discussions

Answer 9

Naturalistic philosophers continued discussing evolution, but many believed life was created by a god rather than evolving.

Question 10

Ovists

Answer 10

Believed God placed fully formed miniature humans in Eve’s ovary, and sexual intercourse triggered the development of one of these miniature humans. This capability was passed on to daughters.

Question 11

Animalcultists

Answer 11

Nicolas Hartsoeker (c. 1690) interpreted human sperm as containing miniature humans. Reproduction was seen as implanting these preformed humans into females, who provided only a nurturing environment.

Question 12

Which theory held that successive generations of organisms were preformed inside each other, and was widely accepted due to advancements in microscopy?

Answer 12

Preformation Theory

Question 13

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Early Evolutionary Theory

Answer 13

Developed one of the first modern theories of evolution. He classified organisms from simple to complex and based his theory on this empirical evidence.

Question 14

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Origin of Life

Answer 14

Believed that simple organisms originated through spontaneous generation and evolved into more complex forms over time.

Question 15

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Use and Disuse

Answer 15

Proposed that evolution occurs through the use and disuse of body structures (e.g., long necks in giraffes due to stretching). This idea is considered a misconception by modern standards.

Question 16

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Influence on Darwin

Answer 16

Lamarck’s ideas significantly influenced Charles Darwin, who developed his own theory of evolution through natural selection 64 years later.

Question 17

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Publication

Answer 17

Lamarck’s theories were published in “Philosophie Zoologique” in 1809, the same year Darwin was born.

Question 18

Thomas Malthus: Influence on Darwin

Answer 18

His ideas significantly influenced Darwin’s thinking on evolution.

Question 19

Thomas Malthus: Key Work

Answer 19

Published “An Essay on the Principle of Population” in 1798, focusing on how population dynamics affect societal progress.

Question 20

Thomas Malthus: Population Dynamics

Answer 20

Malthus proposed that birth and death rates affect population sizes for humans just as they do for other living organisms. Unchecked population growth leads to overpopulation and mass die-offs.

Question 21

Thomas Malthus: Application to Evolution

Answer 21

Darwin applied Malthus’ ideas to his theory of evolution, realizing that humans evolve through the same processes that govern the evolution of other species.

Question 22

Charles Lyell: Influence on Darwin

Answer 22

Lyell was arguably Darwin’s most important influence, shaping his ideas on evolution.

Question 23

Charles Lyell: Uniformitarianism

Answer 23

Popularized the concept that Earth is shaped by gradual geological forces over millions or billions of years, which are still active today.

Question 24

Charles Lyell: Impact on Darwin

Answer 24

Darwin was a student and close mentee of Lyell, and Lyell’s work provided essential insights for Darwin’s development of the theory of evolution.

Question 25

Charles Lyell: Challenge to Old Views

Answer 25

Lyell’s ideas countered the then-prevailing belief that Earth was only a few thousand.

Question 26

Charles Lyell: Principles of Geology

Answer 26

Lyell’s influential work argued that current geological processes can be used to understand past and future geological changes.

Question 27

Which of the following best describes the idea of uniformitarianism, proposed by Charles Lyell?

Answer 27

The same geological processes observed today have been at work in the past.

Question 28

Alfred Russel Wallace: Letter to Darwin

Answer 28

Wallace sent Darwin a letter outlining ideas on evolution through natural selection, which were remarkably similar to Darwin’s own views.

Question 29

Alfred Russel Wallace: Impact on Darwin

Answer 29

Wallace’s letter prompted Darwin to publish his work, On the Origin of Species, which had been in preparation for nearly two decades.

Question 30

Alfred Russel Wallace: Publication

Answer 30

Darwin’s book, published in November 1859, generalized his theory of natural selection without extensive data or references, making it more accessible but also subject to criticism.

Question 31

Before Darwin, what was the commonly accepted view of species?

Answer 31

Species were immutable and created independently.

Question 32

Definition: Natural Selection

Answer 32

Organisms change slowly over time. Beneficial changes are preserved, while disadvantageous changes lead to the extinction of the organism.

Question 33

Definition: No Driving Force

Answer 33

Evolution is driven by random changes and selection, not by a specific purpose or force.

Question 34

Definition: Competition

Answer 34

In an overpopulated environment, individuals compete for limited resources like food, shelter, and mates. This competition is a central element of natural selection.

Question 35

Definition: Inherent Variation

Answer 35

Within any population, individuals exhibit variations in traits. These variations can affect their ability to survive and reproduce.

Question 36

Definition: Fitness

Answer 36

Traits that enhance an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment are termed advantageous. Individuals with these beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these traits to their offspring.

Question 37

Definition: Survival of the Fittest

Answer 37

Natural selection is the process by which advantageous traits become more common in a population over successive generations. Traits that improve an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction are more likely to be preserved and passed on.

Question 38

Definition: Gradual Change

Answer 38

Over time, this process leads to gradual changes in the traits of organisms, contributing to evolutionary change.

Question 39

Struggle for Existence: Overproduction of Offspring

Answer 39

Species produce more offspring than can survive, leading to competition for resources.

Question 40

Struggle for Existence: Reproductive Success

Answer 40

Only a small percentage of individuals survive to reproduce, passing on beneficial traits.

Question 41

Struggle for Existence: Extinction of Unfit Variants

Answer 41

Traits that do not confer an advantage may become extinct over time.

Question 42

Struggle for Existence: Human Impact

Answer 42

Human activities have accelerated extinction rates by disrupting natural habitats and ecosystems.