Evolution Checklist Flashcards
Explain the process of Lamark’s explanation of evolution, and identify its flaws
Lamark believed that individuals adapt through the use or disuse of anatomic features and the flaw is that populations adapt not individuals
Provide examples of evidence used by Darwin and other scientists during the development of the scientific theory of evolution
Darwin provided the Darwin Finches in the Galapagos Islands
Compare artificial and natural selection using examples
Artificial selection is when humanity intervenes in the process of evolution to streamline positive adaptions. Domesticated animals and plants
Natural selection is when the organism itself adapts to its environment
Describe how the theory of plate tectonics can help explain the biogeography of the world
The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the geography of the Earth differed throughout history so organisms from geographically far places may share a common ancestor and features
Identify the four requirements of natural selection
- Variation exists between individuals in a population
- Many differences between individuals in a population are inherited
- Not all individuals in a population survive to produce offspring
- Those individuals in a population that are ‘fitter’ (better adapted to the environment) contribute more to the next generation than those that are less fit
Describe how the environmental conditions of a species put pressure on individuals
Environmental selective pressures, such as predation, food shortage, or disease, places the individual under danger
Explain why allele frequencies within a population can change over time
The allele frequency within a population is affected by population numbers, sexual selection, mutations, and migration
List the main isolating mechanisms
The main isolating mechanisms are behavioural, mechanical, geographical, and temporal
Discuss early and human influences on the evidence of evolution
Humans influenced evolution and this is particularly evident in domestic animals
Explain how fossils can be used to estimate the age of the Earth and how the fossil record is further evidence in support of evolution
Absolute dating is a method of determining the exact age of the fossil and this can narrow down the uncertain around the age of the Earth
Describe the importance of transitional fossils and ‘living fossils’ as evidence of evolution
Transitional fossils visually provide a link between an organism and its ancestor and living fossils provide a living specimen of basically a replica of ancestor. These two fossils are evidence for evolution
Compare and contrast divergent and convergent evolution
Divergent:
- Common Ancestor
- Separate (accumulate differences)
Convergent:
- No common ancestor
- Acquire similar traits
Explain the differences between analogous and homologous structures
Analogous:
- Similar in function
- No common ancestor
- Different structure
Homologous:
- Different functions
- Common ancestor
- Similar in structure
Use specific examples to explain how comparative anatomy, embryology and comparative biochemistry can be used as evidence of evolution
The anatomy of organisms is quite similar, especially in similar animals, e.g. human and sheep. The embryos of organisms are very similar, especially in the first few weeks, and the DNA and RNA of organisms are also similar.
Recall what is the overarching feature that causes speciation
Genetic isolation plays a pivotal role in speciation
