Evolution Flashcards
What is the theory of evolution?
More than three billion years ago, life on earth began as simple organisms from which all the more complex organisms evolved
Why might organisms have similar genes?
Because they are evolved from a common ancestor or share a similar habitat
What is natural selection?
Individuals show variation because of differences in their genes, and those with characteristics that make them better adapted have a better chance of survival so are more likely to reproduce and pass on their genes
What is a mutation?
A change in an organism’s DNA which can produce a beneficial change making them better adapted to their environment so the survive and reproduce, passing their genes on and increasing in population
Why didn’t people agree with Darwin?
It went against religion, he had no proof as genes and DNA weren’t discovered until 50 years later and there wasn’t much evidence
What was Lamarck’s idea?
If a characteristic was used a lot by an animal then it would become more developed in its lifetime and these acquired characteristics would be passed on to its offspring
Why was Lamarck’s idea rejected?
Because experiments didn’t support his hypothesis
