Module 9 Flashcards
(25 cards)
The immutability of species:
The idea that each individual species on the planet was specially created by God and could never fundamentally change.
Microevolution:
The theory that natural selection can, over time, take an organism and transform it into a more specialized species of that organism,
Macroevolution:
The hypothesis that processes similar to those at work in microevolution can, over eons of time, transform and organism into a completely different kind of organism.
Strata:
Distinct layers of rock
Fossils:
Preserved remains of once-living organisms.
Where did Darwin do most of the work which led to his hypothesis of evolution?
on board the HMS Beagle
Did Darwin ever recant his scientific beliefs?
no.
What was the main idea that Thomas Malthus’s work gave to Darwin?
the struggle for survival.
What was the main idea that Sir Charles Lyell’s work gave to Darwin?
“the present is the key to the past” Lyell also believed that the geological column could be explained by referring to the same processes that we see happening today.
What age-old concept was Darwin able to dispel with his research?
The concept of the immutability of species.
Suppose a herd of horses were living in an area where food near the ground was scarce but there was plenty of food in the trees. If, after several generations, the horses gave rise to giraffes that could easily reach the food in the trees, would this be an example of micro or macro evolution.
Macroevolution.
Consider a fish population that is trying to survive under conditions of extremely cold water. If, over several generations, the fish develop thicker fat layers under their skin for micro or macroevolution?
Microevolution
From a genetic point of view, what is the main different between micro and macroevolution?
In microevolution the genetic code stays the same it is just the variations in the genetic code. In macroevolution information must be added to the genetic code creating a new genetic code.
In this module, we studied four main sets of data: the geological column, the fossil record, structural homology, and molecular biology. For each set of data, indicate whether it is evidence for or against macroevolution or if it is inconclusive. Briefly explain why.
Geological column: Inconclusive. because if they were formed gradually then they would be proof for evolution but if they were formed by a sudden catastrophe then they would be proof against evolution
the fossil record: Against because there are no clear intermediate links
Structural homology: Against because the similar structures are determined by very different genes.
Molecular biology: against because most of the data shows no evolution in the structures of amino acids of common proteins.
Name 2 creatures that macro evolutionists claim are inter mediate links and why they are not really intermediate links.
Archaeopteryx-the fossil tells us that it is just a bird
Australopithicus afarensis: every bone tells use that it is just an ape
What is the Cambrian explosion? Why is it a problem for macroevolution?
it is every major animal phylum in creation can be found in Cambrian rock. 2 Problems: 1) there is no way macroevolutions can understand how macroevolution proceeded so quickly during those times 2) there are no intermediate links.
What are the four ways a bacterium can become resistant to an antibiotic?
Transformation, conjugation, transduction, and mutation.
If a bacterium has a mutation that makes it resistant to an antibiotic, does information get added to its genetic code?
no
Based on macroevolutionary assumptions, which organism’s cytochrome C should most resemble that of a yeast: a kangaroo or a bacterium?
A bacterium
What main problem with Darwin’s hypothesis did Neo-Darwinism hope to solve?
a way to add genetic information to the code.
What problem with Darwin’s hypothesis did punctuated equilibrium attempt to solve.
why there are no intermediate links?
How would an adherent to punctuated equilibrium explain the lack of intermediate links in the fossil record?
since the transition of species happened so quickly the fossils had no time to fossilize.
What problems mentioned in this module still exist for those who believe in punctuated equilibrium?
Structural homology and molecular biology still say that macroevolution (even by punctuated equilibrium) could not have happened.
Paleontology:
The study of fossils.
