Chapter 12: Evolution Flashcards
Common decent with modification definition:
Inheriting changes in traits throughout generations.
Who was the first to express the idea that closely related organisms came from a common ancestor and changed over time in 1749?
Buffon
Which theorist came up with the first evolutionary theory involving the effects of using and not using a body part in 1809?
Lamarack
How does Darwin’s observations of finches in the 1830s during his voyage contribute to the theory of evolution?
Darwin hypothesized that flinches came from a common ancestor and, after spreading across the land, developed different traits based on their needs.
How does Malthus’s idea on human populations contribute to Darwin’s ideas of evolution?
Malthus recognized that human populations depend on food supply, war, and disease. This contributed to Darwin’s theory of natural selection by leading to the idea that only those with favorable traits survived and reproduced.
What is Cuvier’s contribution to evolutionary theory?
Studied fossils, 4 branches of structure:
1. Verterbreta 2. Articuleta 3. Mollusca 4. Radiata,
Figured that extinction occurred due to catastrophes.
Incorrectly believed that change meant unfit.
Lamarack’s beliefs?
Evolution existed and passed traits down. Use or disuse of structure affected its structure. Believed extinction did not exist. Also believed that ALL CHANGE IS HERITABLE.
Why is life not a series according to Von Baer?
Embryos develop differently instead of going through a series.
Analyzed embryos and the similarities of early development.
Von Baer.
Lyell’s contribution to natural selection?
Current geology is a result of changes in the past.
Define natural selection:
process where individuals with traits better adapted to the environment survive and reproduce.
