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Flashcards in B1.8 Evolution Deck (15)
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1
Q

Explain Darwin’s theory of evolution (including natural selection)

A
  • Random mutations cause variations within a species
  • A change in the environment such as a new predator will cause animals to compete for survival
  • Some animals will have an advantageous allele allowing them to be better adapted and survive
  • Surviving animals can reproduce and pass the gene on to the next generation
  • Eventually the gene will accumulate in a population
2
Q

Explain Lamarck’s theory of Acquired Characteristics

A
  • He argued that if a characteristic was used a lot by an organism that it would become more developed
  • These acquired characteristics would then be passed on to the next generation
3
Q

What was Lamarck’s theory called?

A

The theory of Acquired Characteristics

4
Q

Why was Lamarck’s theory rejected?

A

Experiments didn’t support his hypothesis, many characteristics acquired by animals aren’t inherited

5
Q

Give three reasons Darwin’s theory wasn’t accepted.

A
  • It went against religious beliefs at the time
  • Darwin didn’t have any good explanation- genes weren’t discovered then
  • There wasn’t enough evidence
6
Q

Why do scientists come up with different theories for similar situations?

A

Scientists produce different hypotheses to explain the same observations because of many reasons e.g they have been influenced by other people or beliefs

7
Q

What are hypotheses refused or supported by?

A

Data from investigations

8
Q

How are living things classified into animals, plants and microorganisms?

A

By studying the similarities and differences between them:

  • Animals: move around the place and can’t make their own food
  • Plants: make their own food and are fixed
  • Microorganisms: different cell structure to both plants and animals
9
Q

What is an evolutionary relationship?

A

How living things are related

10
Q

What is an ecological relationship?

A

How living things interact with each other

11
Q

What does an evolutionary tree show?

A

Common ancestors and relationships between organisms.

12
Q

The more recent the common ancestor…

A

…the more closely related the two species.

13
Q

What do organisms in the same environment with similar characteristics suggest?

A

That they are in competition with each other

14
Q

What do organisms in the same environment with different characteristics show?

A

Predator - prey relationships

15
Q

What is the theory of evolution?

A

The theory that all species have evolved from life forms that first developed more than 3 billion years ago