Natural Selection- Evidence of Evolution Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is Evolution
The gradual change of organism over a long period of time.
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations.
How does evolution differ from natural selection?
Evolution refers to the gradual changes in species over time, whereas natural selection is the mechanism that drives these changes by favoring individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment.
Who is Charles Darwin, and how is he connected to the theory of evolution? (2)
Charles Darwin is the scientist most famously associated with the theory of evolution. He proposed that species evolve over time through the process of natural selection.
Who was Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, and what was his theory of evolution? (2)
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was an early evolutionary theorist who suggested that organisms evolve by passing on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. For example, he believed that giraffes evolved long necks because their ancestors stretched their necks to reach higher leaves.
How does comparative anatomy provide evidence of evolution? (2)
Comparative anatomy looks at the similarities and differences in the structure of organisms. For example, the similar bone structure of the wings of bats and the arms of humans suggests a common evolutionary ancestor.
How does molecular biology support the theory of evolution? (2)
Molecular biology shows that species share similarities in their genetic code. The more closely related two species are, the more similar their DNA and protein structures are, supporting the idea of a common ancestor for all life on Earth.
What are vestigial structures?
Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost most or all of their original function due to evolution. Examples include the human appendix, wisdom teeth, body hair, tailbone, and the wings of flightless birds.
What is the function of the human appendix, and why is it considered vestigial?
The human appendix is believed to have once played a role in digestion, particularly in processing cellulose, but it now has little to no function. It is considered vestigial because it has lost its original purpose over evolutionary time.
What are vestigial structures, and how do they provide evidence of evolution? (3)
Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost most or all of their original function due to evolutionary changes. Examples include the human appendix, wisdom teeth, tailbone, and the wings of flightless birds. These structures indicate that they were once useful in ancestral species but became unnecessary over time as species evolved.
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What is biogeography, and how does it support the theory of evolution?
Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of species. It supports evolution by showing that species in geographically close areas often share similar traits due to their common evolutionary history, whereas species in distant areas tend to be more different.
What is convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution occurs when species from different evolutionary lineages evolve similar traits because they live in similar environments or face similar environmental pressures. An example is the similar body shape of sharks (cartilaginous fish) and dolphins (mammals), even though they are not closely related.
How does observing current species demonstrate evolution in action? (3)
Observing modern species provides evidence of evolution happening in real time. For example, bacteria can evolve resistance to antibiotics over a few generations, and mosquito populations have developed resistance to pesticides. These observations show that species continue to evolve in response to environmental pressures.
What are homologous structures, and how do they provide evidence of common ancestry?
Homologous structures are anatomical features that are similar in different species due to common ancestry. For example, the forelimbs of humans, bats, and whales have similar bone structures, even though they serve different functions, indicating that these species share a common ancestor.
What role do mutations play in evolution? (3)
Mutations are random changes in the genetic material of an organism. These mutations can lead to new traits that may provide a survival advantage. If these traits are beneficial, they may become more common in the population through natural selection, contributing to the process of evolution.
How does the study of evolution help in understanding human health? (2)
Understanding evolution is essential in medicine because it helps explain the development of diseases, such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria and the evolution of viruses.
