Chapter 2

Question 1

Evolution theory

Answer 1

Process by which changes occur over successive generations

Question 2

Darwins “descent with modification” says

Answer 2

“Living organism are constantly evolving, due into particular to the phenomenon of natural selection. Wishing one species, the individuals that are best adapted to their environment reproduce in greater number than other”

Question 3

Fundamental Principles of evolution

Answer 3

1. Variation within systems exist, in terms of genetic differences and morphological diversity (species change over time and space)
2. Species can be selected for in the creation of new variation (natural selection works on existing variations)
3. All species reproduce under food availability and suitable habitat
4. Species success is dependent on optimum conditions

Question 4

Basic principles of natural selection

Answer 4

1. Ability to vary - does not introduce variation, works with existing variations
2. Reproduce in excess - increases opportunity for genetic variation that offers survival advantage
3. Changing environments - current modifications may no longer be an advantage

Question 5

What is a theory

Answer 5

A carefully thought-out explanation for observations of the natural world that has been constructed using the scientific method, and which brings together many facts and hypotheses

Question 6

Cambrian explosion

Answer 6

Paleozoic era, ~540 M years ago, ancestors of today’s animals appeared, big boom of new plant and animal species, contradicted evolution up until that point

Question 7

Triassic period

Answer 7

Mesozoic era, ~250 M years ago, mammals appeared

Question 8

Jurassic period

Answer 8

Mesozoic era, ~200 M years ago, birds appeared

Question 9

Tertiary period

Answer 9

Cenozoic era, ~ 65 M years ago, Genus Homo appeared, mammals and birds thrive, land bridges appear

Question 10

What does Cenozoic stand for

Answer 10

New life, age of mammals

Question 11

Paleocene epic

Answer 11

Warm and humid

Question 12

Eocene epic

Answer 12

Rapid global warming, flora diversification and dense forests

Question 13

Ogliocene Epic

Answer 13

Temperatures declined, drier and more seasonal conditions, dry woodlands, and wooded grasslands, ice sheets

Question 14

Holocene epoch

Answer 14

“Entirely new” 11,700 years ago marks significant plant and animal domestication event

Question 15

Genus Bos

Answer 15

Can be traced to 2 M yeas ago, most profound changes associated with domestication

Question 16

What process takes longer evolution or domestication?

Answer 16

Evolution

Question 17

Eohippus (dawn horse)

Answer 17

Emerged during the Eocene epoch (global warming, marshy), small, fox like, 4 toes in the front, 3 toes in the back

Question 18

Horse evolution

Answer 18

Old: small, many toes, lightweight, don’t travel
New: larger, toes disappear, need to travel for food, consume more food because less rich

Question 19

Mutations

Answer 19

Variations that occur randomly through normal biological processes

Question 20

Genetic drift

Answer 20

Acts on existing variation and occurs by chance

Question 21

Migration (gene flow)

Answer 21

Variation that occurs through physical processes of movement

Question 22

How does evolution advance

Answer 22

By irregular, wholly unpredictable steps - the occasional occurrence of a peak shift in some locality at some time, followed by spread through a species

Question 23

Evolution

Answer 23

The process by which diversity is introduced

Question 24

Domestication

Answer 24

The process by which striking variation within a species arises

Question 25

What causes genetic variation

Answer 25

Mutations and migration (gene flow)

Question 26

What acts upon genetic variation

Answer 26

Natural selection and genetic drift

Question 27

Miocene epic

Answer 27

Stable, mild temperatures

Question 28

Pleistocene epic

Answer 28

“Current ice age” period of repeated glaciations

Question 29

Evolution requires both ____ and _____

Answer 29

Environment and Genetics

Question 30

Environment

Answer 30

1. Populations have the potential to increase exponentially 2. Resources are limited

Question 31

Genetics

Answer 31

1. Animals within a population differ in many characteristics 2. Characteristics that cause these differences are heritable

Question 32

Outcome

Answer 32

1. Not all offspring produced will survive due to the environment and available resources 2. Some animals are more likely to survive than others because of their genetic variation and heritable characteristics

Question 33

Natural selection is due to

Answer 33

A competitive advantage

Question 34

Artificial selection by humans is due to

Answer 34

Desired traits

Question 35

Domestication is

Answer 35

A condition whereby humans control the breeding, feeding, and care of animals

Question 36

Master Gene Theory

Answer 36

Limited number of divergent pathways because it’s controlled by one or few genes

Question 37

Gradualism

Answer 37

Many genes involved, and multiple paths diverge, making similarities less likely yet phenotypic similarities occur, continual and slow, single or limited number of genes may start process

Question 38

Successful domestication requires

Answer 38

Breeding animals in captivity, goal-oriented, increased reproductive ability, brings about atrophy of select organ systems, enables animal to achieve greater plasticity/adaptability, facilitated by subjugation to man

Question 39

Social behaviors that oppose domestication success

Answer 39

Territorial, monogamous, signals mating readiness through color markings, altricial young, high reaction toward human presence, carnivorous, high stress to confinement

Question 40

Does social cooperation increase or decrease fitness

Answer 40

Increase

Question 41

Social behaviors that support domestication success

Answer 41

Large social groups with leaders and followers, promiscuous, signals mating readiness through postures, precocial young, low reaction towards human presence, varied diet herbivore or omnivorous, low stress to confinement

Question 42

What is the most consequential event in human history

Answer 42

The exercise of dominion over plants and animals

Question 43

Pushes towards domestication

Answer 43

Climate warming, human expansion, resource depression (necessitated)

Question 44

Pulls towards domestication

Answer 44

Social status, release from labor, innovation (benefits)

Question 45

Domestication phases

Answer 45

1. Animal attraction 2. Animal keeping 3. Animal breeding 4. Intentional selection