Vocabulary
Charles Darwin (and his finches)
Classification
MCAS questions
Evolution
100
Define genetic variation
differences in DNA caused by mutations, results in diversity
100
Where did Darwin voyage? (100 extra points if you can name the boat he traveled on)
The Galapagos Islands and his ship was "The Beagle"
100
Give one reason why we classify organisms
1. It is a way to organize many different species 2. It uses a universal language 3. Shows the relationships between species
100
A population is separated into two groups by a geographic barrier. Over time, enough differences develop between the two groups that they do not interbreed when reunited. Which of the following terms best describes the process that has occurred? A. extinction B. hybridization C. immigration D. speciation
D. speciation
100
What is evolution?
Process by which organisms change over time
200
Define mutation
Changes in a gene sequence
200
What structure on finches did Darwin compare?
Beak size and shape
200
What is the order of taxa? (hint: dead, king...)
1. Domain (dead) 2. Kingdom (king) 3. Phylum (philip) 4. Class (came) 5. Order (over) 6. Family (for) 7. Genus (good) 8. Species (spaghetti)
200
The scientific name for the woodchuck is Marmota monax, and the scientific name for the long-tailed marmot is Marmota caudata. Which of the following statements describes the taxonomic relationship between the woodchuck and the long-tailed marmot? A. They belong to different phyla. B. They belong to the same genus. C. They belong to the same species. D. They belong to different families.
B. They belong to the same genus.
200
What three things are needed for evolution to happen?
1. Genetic variation: difference in DNA caused by mutations 2. Natural selection: the process by which the organisms that are best adapted to the environment survive and reproduce 3. Time!
300
Define natural selection
Process by which the organisms that are best adapted to their environment survive to reproduce
300
What explanation did Darwin provide for the differences in beak size and shape among the finches he studied?
The beak size and shape of each species of finch was specifically adapted for eating the different foods on each of the separate islands
300
Name three kingdoms
1. Archaebacteria 2. Eubacteria 3. Protista 4. Fungi 5. Plantae 6. Animalia
300
The fossil record supports which of the following descriptions of the evolution of life on Earth? A. Life first appeared with the diversity found today. B. The importance of natural selection diminished over time. C. Complex organisms evolved from more simple organisms. D. Large organisms appeared before single-celled organisms.
C. Complex organisms evolved from more simple organisms.
300
Explain how the peppered moth is a good example of evolution
Peppered moths were mostly light colored before the industrial revolution. Pollution (caused by the industrial revolution) made the tree trunks which the moths rested on darker in color. The darker peppered moths survived because they were better camouflaged.
400
Define vestigial organs (100 extra points for providing an example)
Organs that are inherited from an ancestor and have no current function (ex. Wisdom teeth, Human tailbone, Whale pelvic bone, Snake limb bones)
400
Using the terms geographic isolation and speciation, describe how Darwin's finches became different species
The finches colonized the islands and were geographically isolated from other populations of finches because the islands were separated by water. This separation allowed for speciation of the finches, which is the formation of new species.
400
What two taxa categories are used for scientific names of organisms?
Genus and species
400
Lemur body types can vary widely. In addition to fossils and comparative anatomy, which of the following types of evidence can scientists reliably use to study the evolution of the variety of lemur body types? A. lifespan B. population sizes C. DNA sequences D. male-to-female ratio
C. DNA sequences
400
Name at least two pieces of evidence we have for evolution
1. Fossil records 2. Similarities in anatomy 3. Similarities in vertebrate embryos 4. Similarities in DNA
500
Define fitness
An organism's ability to survive AND reproduce in its environment
500
How could you know that the finches have changed enough so that they are now separate species?
See if they could mate and produce offspring
500
To what kingdoms do the "oldest" organisms belong?
Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
500
Lobsters and spiders are both classified in the phylum Arthropoda. Lobsters and spiders are therefore also classified in the same A. class. B. family. C. genus. D. kingdom.
D. kingdom.
500
What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?
Homologous structures: Structures that are alike because the organisms share a common ancestor. These structures may serve the same or different functions ex. Wing of a bat and the arm of a human (the bone structure is the same but the limbs are used for different purposes) Analogous structures: A structure that evolved separately in two organisms that are not related and the structure serves the same function ex. Wing of a bird and the wing of a butterfly