Year 10 Biology - Evolution

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘species’?

Answer 1

Organisms that can successfully reproduce to create fertile offspring.

Question 2

Why is genetic diversity important to the survival of a species?

Answer 2

Allows species to adapt to future environmental changes and avoid inter-breeding.

Question 3

What is the relationship between mutation and genetic variation?

Answer 3

Random mutations are the main source of new genetic material providing variation.

Question 4

What is artificial selection, and how does it affect genetic diversity?

Answer 4

Selection by humans due to selective breeding for desired traits, IVF or cloning. Reduces genetic diversity as it reduces instances of “undesired” traits or susceptible bacteria/ insects, etc.

Question 5

What are adaptations?

Answer 5

Special characteristics that help an organism survive and reproduce in its ecosystem.

Question 6

What is evolution?

Answer 6

Describes the changes in species over many generations.

Question 7

Identify three resources for which individuals within a population may compete.

Answer 7

Food, shelter, and water.

Question 8

Give an example of an abiotic and biotic selection pressure that could affect the populations of species.

Answer 8

Temperature and food.

Question 9

How are the theories of natural selection and evolution linked?

Answer 9

Natural selection is a mechanism for evolution, explaining why different populations change over generations to create new species.

Question 9

How could a natural disaster affect the ‘gene pool’ of a population?

Answer 9

A natural disaster could reduce the variety of genes in the gene pool, therefore causing a shift in the frequency of particular genes.

Question 10

What selective agent resulted in the change of beak shape in the Galapagos finches?

Answer 10

Different foods available select for beaks that are good at obtaining the foods.

Question 11

1) What is meant by the term “speciation”?

Answer 11

The creation of a new species/ When one population of a species changes significantly enough that it cannot interbreed with other populations.

Question 12

Give two examples of how a population can be geographically split into isolated areas.

Answer 12

Movement of continents
flooding/ river forming

Question 13

How are natural selection and speciation linked?

Answer 13

Natural selection causes the change in populations that results in speciation

Question 14

Define ‘convergent’ evolution:

Answer 14

Ecological pressures cause a similarity in structure or function, but not from a common ancestor

Question 15

Define ‘divergent’ evolution:

Answer 15

Evolution arises out of differences in organisms that had a common ancestor.

Question 16

Define ‘co-evolution’:

Answer 16

Evolution in which one organism causes another to change since they live in close association.

Question 17

What is comparative anatomy?

Answer 17

Study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species.

Question 18

Define ‘fossils’:

Answer 18

Preserved remains or traces of once-living things.

Question 19

Define ‘Embryology of Vertebrates’:

Answer 19

Studying the structures of embryos of different vertebrates in their early stages of development

Question 20

Define ‘Homologous structures’:

Answer 20

Studying the features of related species that have similar structures.

Question 21

Define ‘Analogous structures’:

Answer 21

Studying the features of unrelated species that have similar functions.

Question 22

Define ‘Vestigial Organs’

Answer 22

Organs that are reduced in size/ have no observable function.

Question 23

Define ‘Comparative DNA’:

Answer 23

Looking at similarities and differences in the DNA of different species, particularly comparing the base sequence to form the same proteins.

Question 24

Define ‘Comparative protein sequences’:

Answer 24

Looking at similarities and differences in the amino acid sequences of different species to form the same proteins.

Question 25

Define ‘Geographic Distribution’:

Answer 25

Studying the geographical locations of related species

Question 26

What are the three major factors leading to the extinction of species?

Answer 26

Gradual change in climate, meteor showers, human activity

Question 27

Why is it important to humans that genetic biodiversity be as great as possible?

Answer 27

Protect food supply options for changes in conditions, support food webs in ecosystems, support air and soil quality, and right to exist.

Question 28

List 3 ways in which humans are attempting to preserve endangered species.

Answer 28

National parks to protect and monitor, zoos and breeding programs to build up threatened species, rehabilitation of ecosystems, education, etc.

Question 29

Why is breeding in captivity being undertaken?

Answer 29

Build up populations in a safe environment, which can later be released to re-populate ecosystems.

Question 30

What is a mass extinction? Give an example of a mass extinction and the era it occurred.

Answer 30

The dying out of thousands of species around the world at the same time eg. 95% of species lost during the Permian epoch.

Question 31

Define ‘Biogeography’:

Answer 31

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and time.

Question 32

What was Lamarck’s theory of evolution?

Answer 32

He proposed that organisms evolve by inheriting traits acquired during their lifetime.

Question 33

What was Darwin’s theory of evolution?

Answer 33

Stated that animals/plants with favourable traits are more likely to pass those traits to their offspring - leads to changes in species overtime.

Question 34

What is natural selection?

Answer 34

A process in which a species becomes better adapted to its environment, individuals with favourable characteristics have a survival advantage.

Question 35

Define ‘mutation’:

Answer 35

Random alteration of genes due to environmental pressures - new characteristics.

Question 36

Describe what a mould/cast fossil is.

Answer 36

When an organism’s hard body leaves behind a mould that is filled in with another mould within rocks.

Question 37

Describe what a trace fossil is.

Answer 37

Footprint, burrow or a nest that an animal made.

Question 38

Describe what preserved remains are.

Answer 38

Mummy or an insect in amber.

Question 39

What are selective pressures?

Answer 39

Environmental factors that influence which traits are helpful for survival and reproduction.

Question 40

Give three examples of selective pressures.

Answer 40

P.A.N.D.A P.A.W.

Question 41

What are the steps to natural selection?

Answer 41

1. Variation
2. Isolation of the breeding population
3. Different characteristics arise - RGD, mutation and EP
4. Survivors reproduce/pass on favourable traits/features
5. Environmental changes - survival of the fittest.
6. Frequency of genes for new characteristics increase
7. Isolated populations different - new species produced.