Evolution Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the focus of Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Darwin’s theory explains the diversity and unity of life through natural selection and descent with modification.
What was Darwin’s key publication and when was it published?
The Origin of Species, published in 1859.
What did Aristotle and Linnaeus contribute to classification?
Aristotle viewed species as fixed; Linnaeus created the binomial naming system and taxonomy.
What was Lamarck’s hypothesis of evolution?
Species evolve through use and disuse of traits and inheritance of acquired characteristics (not supported by evidence).
Who was Alfred Russel Wallace?
A naturalist who independently proposed natural selection; co-published with Darwin.
What did Darwin observe on the HMS Beagle voyage?
Geographic variation in species, fossil and living species similarities, geological changes.
What are the three broad observations explained in The Origin of Species?
Unity of life, diversity of life, and match between organisms and their environments.
What does ‘descent with modification’ mean?
Species are connected through common ancestry and evolve over time.
What metaphor did Darwin use to describe evolution?
A tree with branches representing life’s diversity.
What is artificial selection?
The human-directed breeding of organisms with desired traits.
What are Darwin’s two key observations and inferences in natural selection?
1) Variation in traits and overproduction of offspring. 2) Favorable traits increase reproductive success and accumulate.
What is natural selection?
A process where individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more, driving evolution.
What are examples of natural selection in recent history?
Soapberry bug beak evolution and antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
What are the four types of evidence for evolution?
Direct observations, homology, fossil record, biogeography.
What is homology?
Similarity due to shared ancestry, seen in anatomical and molecular traits.
What are vestigial structures?
Remnants of features that served important functions in ancestors.
What is convergent evolution?
Independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar environments.
How do fossils support evolution?
They show transitional forms and evolutionary changes over time.
What is biogeography?
The study of species distribution; supports evolution via patterns on islands and continents.
What was Pangaea?
A supercontinent that later broke apart; its breakup explains current species distributions.
What are endemic species?
Species found only in one specific geographic area.
How does the theory of evolution qualify as a scientific theory?
It integrates diverse observations and is supported by extensive evidence and ongoing research.
What did Thomas Malthus contribute to Darwin’s theory?
He highlighted overproduction and competition as forces that influence survival.
What role did Charles Lyell play in Darwin’s thinking?
His work on geology helped Darwin recognize Earth’s great age and gradual change.
