Unit 7, Topic 3

Question 1

selective breeding that is imposed by an external entity, usually humans, in order to enhance the frequency of desirable features.

Answer 1

Artificial selection

Question 2

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

Answer 2

Artificial selection is conscious human choice for selected traits. Natural selection is any process in which selection occurs due to an organism’s ability to adapt to its surroundings.

Question 3

How did artificial selection influence Darwin’s thinking?

Answer 3

From artificial selection, Darwin knew that some offspring have chance variations that can be inherited. In nature, offspring with certain variations might be more likely to survive the “struggle for existence” and reproduce. If so, they would pass their favorable variations to their offspring.

Question 4

process by which groups of organisms independently evolve to similar forms

Answer 4

convergent evolution

Ex: bats and fruit flies both evolving to have wings.

Question 5

process by which groups of organisms evolve in diverse directions from a common point

Answer 5

divergent evolution

Ex: the Galapagos finches