Charles Darwin
Who was Charles Darwin?
Charles Darwin was a naturalist who came up with the idea that evolution occurs by natural selection.
What is a fossil?
Preserved remains of a dead organism
What is the definition of Evolution?
Slow gradual change over time.
Define these three terms:
1. Homologous structures
2: Analogous structures
3: Vestigial Structures
1: Homologous structures have the same structure but different function.
2: Analogous structures have the same function but different structure.
3: Vestigial structures are structures that were used in the past but are not used today.
What did Charles Darwin learn during his voyage on the Beagle?
The similarities and differences between certain species.
What are tar pits?
Tar pits are when tar seeps up from the ground. These tar pits traps many organisms.
What is a common ancestor
A common ancestor is an organism that multiple different species are related to.
What is a cladogram
A cladogram is used to show how organisms are related to each other to a common ancestor.
What is the difference between Darwin's theory of evolution and Lamark's theory of evolution?
Lamark thought that evolution was caused by the inheritance of acquired traits, while Darwin thought that evolution was caused by natural selection.
Name and describe each of the four types of fossils.
1. Petrified Fossils- A fossil that forms when minerals replace the buried remains and turn them into solid rock.
2. Mold- Empty space left when an organism dissolves (ex. footprints)
3. Cast- The filled in mold with harden minerals.
4. Preserved Remains- When an organism gets stuck in tar or ice, and the whole organism is preserved.
What is variation?
What information did scientists get from looking at early stages of organisms?
They discovered that certain organisms looked extremely similar when they were embryos, but they developed differently.
What did Darwin not understand about evolution?
He did not understand the genetic connection between organisms.
What's the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?
Relative dating is the approximate date found from index fossils and the surrounding rock. Absolute dating is the exact date found from identifying how much of the radioactive rock has decayed.
How do new species form?
New species form when some of the group becomes separated for so long that they develop different traits and can no longer reproduce with organisms from the original species.
Define:
1. Gradualism
2. Punctuated Equilibrium
1. Gradualism is the theory that evolution happens slowly over time.
2. Punctuated Equilibrium is the theory that there are stable periods where there is little to none evolutionary change. Then a sudden evolutionary change happens.
What did Darwin find strange about the Galapagos islands?
Even though the islands were close together, the climate, vegetation, and species were different.
How do fossils help us understand evolution?
What is overproduction and how does it lead to competition?
Overproduction is when a species creates too many offspring. This leads to competition because more organisms are competing for the same type of food.
What does comparing DNA sequences reveal about two organisms?
The more sequences that are the same, the more closely related they are.