Evolution Study Guide

Name: ______Date:______

1. Explain Charles Darwin's contributions to evolutionary ideas. Give the basic assumptions upon which Darwin's theory rests. Indicate the types of evidence that Darwin used in formulating his theory.

2. List the processes that can lead to genetic variation.

3. Briefly contrast Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics with Darwin's theory of natural selection.

4. Explain how natural selection in one generation can affect the genotype of the next generation.

5. Describe how populations change over time.

1 6. Explain how traits that are beneficial to the survival of a species in one environment might not be beneficial in another.

7. Identify and describe the four main concepts of natural selection.

8. What types of characteristics might be beneficial to species living in a desert, the artic, or a coniferous forest?

9. Explain what is meant by the term evolution.

10. What is a fossil? How are fossils formed?

11. What kinds of changes are reflected in the fossil record?

2 12. What is the best explanation for the structural and biochemical similarities that exist in living organisms?

13. How does evidence from embryology support the concept that all animals evolved from common ancestors?

14. How does biochemistry support the idea that all living things evolved from common ancestors?

15. Define survival of the fittest. How are the concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest related?

16. An orange grower discovered that most of his trees were infested with destructive mites. He sprayed the trees with insecticide, which killed 99% of the mites. Five weeks later, most of the trees were infested again, so he sprayed again, using the same quantity of the same insecticide. This time, only about half the mites were killed. Explain why the spray did not work as well the second time.

3 17. For each of the following scientists, summarize the procedure and results of their experiments regarding spontaneous generation and the origins of life.

a. Francesco Redi

b. Louis Pasteur

18. Define and describe the following terms:

a. Convergent evolution:

b. Divergent evolution:

c. Adaptive radiation:

d. Artificial selection:

e. Coevolution: