Chapter 1-3
What is the primary driver of variation, according to Darwin in Chapter 1?
Inherited traits
What mechanism is the core of Darwin's theory in Chapter 4
Natural selection
What behavior does Darwin discuss to support evolving instincts?
Slave-making ants
What makes the fossil record imperfect in Chapter 10?
Rare fossilization and erosion
How does Darwin describe the unity of life in Chapter 14?
All organisms share a common ancestor
What process does Darwin compare to natural selection?
Artificial selection
What happens to species with less favorable traits?
They go extinct
What distinguishes instinct from habit in Chapter 8?
Instinct is inherited; habit is learned
Why do some species appear to “suddenly” show up?
Fossil gaps and rapid evolution
What supports common ancestry in Chapter 13?
Homologous structures
What term refers to rare, sudden mutations like short-legged sheep?
Sports
What does Chapter 5 suggest about disused organs?
They weaken over time
What example supports heritability of instincts?
Sheepdogs herding
Where do new species often evolve?
Where their ancestors lived
Why is geographical distribution important in Darwin's theory?
It reveals how isolation can lead to new species
What does Darwin say about traits acquired during an organism's life?
They are not inherited
What is reversion in evolution?
Return of ancestral traits
What supports the idea that varieties are early-stage species?
They produce fertile offspring
What does Chapter 11 say about extinction?
It’s a natural part of evolution
What is Darwin’s view on the classification of organisms?
It reflects evolutionary relationships
What limits population growth, according to Darwin in Chapter 3?
Limited resources
What is one difficulty Darwin acknowledges in Chapter 6?
Missing transitional forms
What does Darwin say about hybrids?
Often sterile
What supports the idea that varieties are early-stage species?
They produce fertile offspring
What does Darwin say about similar structures in different animals (like a bat’s wing and a whale’s flipper)?
They are homologous structures showing common ancestry