Evidence of Evolution
Origins of Life
Human Evolution
Drivers of Evolution
Random
100
Whales have a pelvis bone which is a vestigial structure. What conclusion can be made about whales and their ancestors based on this vestigial structure?
The conclusion is that whales evolved from ancestors that walked on land.
100
Which process evolved first? Photosynthesis or Aerobic Respiration - defend your answer.
Photosynthesis evolved first to produce more oxygen for organisms that do aerobic respiration
100
Brain size has increased as humans have evolved. How has this impacted human behavior over time?
Tool use has advanced
Communication and social behavior has become complex
100
Certain individuals in a population have a higher survival and reproduction rate because of their beneficial traits is called what?
Natural Selection
100
How does non-random mating impact the gene pool and thus evolution?
Organisms will choose who they mate with based on favorable traits or behaviors making those traits more prevalent (common)
200
Similarities like elbows in the front limbs of mammals such as bats, penguins and alligators is called what? This supports comparative anatomy.
Homologous Structures
200
Name and describe 1 of the 4 theories discussed in class about how life started.
1 - Primordial soup - life began from a mixture of organic molecules in Earths early atmosphere from some energy (lighting or UV)
2 - Deep sea vents - life began at the bottom of the ocean from the mixture of organic compounds with heat and pressure
3 - Panspermia - Life came to earth from a space object striking earth
4 - RNA world hypothesis - Life started with RNA as the backbone
200
Provide one example of how human skulls have evolved over time.
Jaws got smaller over time
Brain cavity got larger
Eyebrow ridges got smaller
Nasal cavity shortened
200
Random movement of individuals between populations which increases genetic diversity is known as
Gene Flow
200
Which mouse color is going to survive and why?
The black/gray mice will survive and continue the population because they have the trait that is most beneficial for the environment - camouflaging to the floor so that predators don't spot them and eat them
300
What were the 5 pieces of evidence that supports the theory of evolution?
1 - Fossils
2 - Biogeography
3 - Comparative Anatomy
4 - Comparative Embryology
5 - Molecular Genetics (DNA)
300
What was the common theme of all of the theories of how life started?
That all life started with the molecule carbon
300
Describe one way that human skeletons have evolved over time?
Various answers about skeletal shape and size
300
Name a process that can increase genetic varation.
Mutation
Genetic Recombination (crossing over)
300
Florida panther populations have dramatically reduced which has reduced the genetic variation. Which vocab term described this genetic change?
Genetic drift