Evolution

Question 1

evolution is not

Answer 1

• a theory
• the same thing as natural selection
• an accidental process
• denying the presence of god/religion
• something that only happens in the past

Question 2

evolution IS:

Answer 2

• the change in properties of groups of organisms over the course of generations
• descent with modification

Question 3

theory of evolution by natural selection:

Answer 3

• more individuals of each species are born than can survive
• frequently struggle for existence
• individuals vary slightly in ways that can benefit them
• some variations provide a better chance of survival
• strong principle of inheritance
• the selected variation will propagate its new & modified form

Question 4

Darwin & Wallace similarities

Answer 4

• evolution is a fact
• common descent
• gradualism
• population change
• natural selection

Question 5

Darwin & Wallace differences

Answer 5

• Darwin emphasised competition between same species as leading factor
• Wallace emphasised environmental pressures forcing species to become adapted

Question 6

misunderstandings after Darwin

Answer 6

• neo-lamarckism = acquired traits can be passed on
• orthogenesis = ‘straight line evolution’ towards a fixed goal
• mutationist = major mutations gave rise to new phenotypes, some of which causing new species

Question 7

eugenics

Answer 7

• “a way to improve the human species”
• Churchill campaigned for forced sterilisation of ‘undesirables’
• led to many nazi policies
• persists in terms of overpopulation & eco-fascism