Evolution: Scientists/Contributors Flashcards
(12 cards)
Who were all the scientists involved in creating evolution?
- Plato and Aristotle
- Buffon
- Mary Anning
- George Cuvier
- Jean Batiste Lamarck
- Charles Darwin
What role did Plato and Aristotle serve in developing the theory of evolution?
They initially believed organisms could not and would not change.
Why did Plato and Aristotle believe that organisms could and would not change?
Prior to the 19th century christians believe the church’s version of the planets origins, after this however people began to question the church. This was often dismissed as heresy.
What role did George-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, serve in developing the theory of evolution?
Was one of the first people to publicly challenge the “fact” that organisms never changed. He published the 44-volume Histoire Naturelle. It compiled all of his understandings of the natural world. Things such as similarities between humans and apes (common ancestry) and the true age of the earth (more than 6000 years) are noted within.
What role did Mary Anning serve in developing the theory of evolution?
In 1811, Anning unearthed the fossil of an Ichthyosaurus (Prehistoric fish) resembling no animal known to be loving during her time. Also discovered strange plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils. Anning’s discovery made people question the idea that all organisms came into existence at the same time and never changed after.
What role did George Cuvier serve in developing the theory of evolution?
He was the “father” of palaeontology. Realized different fossils were found in different layers of soil and that new species appeared and disappeared in fossil records. Was opposed to evolution at the time and proposed catastrophism. He believed the catastrophes (revolutions) corresponded to the layer boundaries. After each one, new species would move into the area, explaining the appearing “new” species.
What is palaeontology?
The study of fossils.
What is catastrophism?
The idea that catastrophes such as floods, diseases, droughts, etc;… periodically destroyed species that were living in a specific area.
What role did Jean Batiste Lamarck serve in developing the theory of evolution?
Was one of the first scientists to try and explain how evolution occurred. He didn’t believe species went extinct, but rather changed into new species.
What were the 2 parts of Lamarck’s theory of evolution?
1: Law of Use and Disuse
- The more an animal uses a part of its body, the more stronger and developed it becomes. Vice versa.
2: Inheritance of Acquired Traits
- Traits acquired through use/disuse could be passed on to offspring
What were the criticisms of Lamarck?
1: Use disuse was a poor idea as it suggested organisms could consciously sense their needs and change to meet them.
2: Acquired traits simply cannot be passed on, as genetic information from body cells is not passed on to sex cells.
3: No experiment ever proved inheritance of acquired traits.
(Some antibodies acquired by the mother may be transferred to children via breastfeeding. This is not genetic inheritance.)
What role did Charles Darwin serve in developing the theory of evolution?
He created it.
