Unit 9 - Evolution

Question 1

Charles Darwin

Answer 1

Contributed to science through his theory of biological evolution explaining that modern organisms evolved over long periods of time through decent of common ancestors.

He also found that species are not fixed and that they could change by some natural processes (his three patterns of diversity)

Question 2

Hutton and Lyll

Answer 2

Concluded that Earth is extremely old.

And that the processes that have changed the Earth in the past are the same processes that operate in the present.

Question 3

Lamarck’s Hypothesis of Evolution

Answer 3

1) organisms could change during their lifetimes by selectively using or not using various parts of their bodies.

→ BUT, actually, organisms don’t have an inborn drive to become more perfect.

2) Individuals could pass these acquired traits on to their offspring - enabling species to change overtime.

→ BUT, actually, traits acquired by individuals during their lifetime cannot be passed onto their offspring.

OVERALL - he suggested that species are not fixed and assumed organisms inherited acquired traits.

Question 4

Mathus’s View of Population Growth

Answer 4

Noticed mass overcrowding in the world - where people were being born faster than people were dying.

THOUGHT: If population grew unchecked, there wouldn’t be enough living space and food for everyone (which applies even more to other organisms than it does humans).

Question 5

Natural Selection

Answer 5

Organisms with traits more suited/ beneficial to their environment survive and leave more offspring (reproduce).

Question 6

Conditions in which Natural Selection occurs

Question 7

Common Descent