Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

Question 1

What is evolution

Answer 1

A gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time

Question 2

Who is Ardi

Answer 2

4.4 million years old
Ardipithecus ramidus
1.2m tall 50kg
May have walked upright
Very long arms
Big toes to climb trees

Question 3

Who is Lucy

Answer 3

3.2 million years old
Australopithecus afarensis
1.07m tall
Walk upright
Toes like humans

Question 4

Who is Homo habilus

Answer 4

“Handy Man”
2.4-1.4 million years
Short
Long arms
Walked upright

Question 5

Who is Homo erectus

Answer 5

Found in Asia in late 19C
1.6 million year skelton in Africa in 1984
Evidence humans evolved in Africa
Tall 1.79m
Strongly built

Question 6

Why are stone tools important

Answer 6

Evidence of human like animals using tools
Older tools simple skinning animal
Were more sophisticated eg arrow heads

Question 7

How are stone tools dated?

Answer 7

Sophistication - structural features of tools
Stratigraphy - age of rock layers
Using Carbon 14 dating of carbon in tools

Question 8

Who were Darwin and Russell?

Answer 8

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913)

Darwin published origin of the species in 1859

Question 9

What is natural selection?

Answer 9

Explains how evolution occurs.
Means Survival of the fittest

Question 10

Explain Natural Selection

Answer 10

genetic variation in alleles
Selection Pressure from competition for resources/predators etc
Those with best characteristics survive
They breed and pass on good alleles to offspring
Less adapted individuals die out
Beneficial characteristics become more common