Vocabulary
A group of a interacting individuals of the same species located in the same area
What is a population?
Differences in the traits/characteristics among individuals of the same species
What is genetic variation?
New Mexico Whiptail lizards are an all female species of lizards that reproduce asexually
nay - there is no genetic variation
Who was the British Naturalist who proposed the theory of Natural Selection?
Who is Charles Darwin?
A group of organisms with similar characteristics that are able to interbreed or exchange genetic material.
What is a species?
True or False:
In order for natural selection to occur, genetic variation must provide some individuals with a survival advantage.
True
A group of birds are various bright colors, these colors can be passed down to their offspring. These colors don't help or harm them in anyway.
Nay - there is no trait that provides a survival advantage
When did Darwin propose his theory? (You do not need the exact date)
In the 1850's
The process by which individuals with favorable traits survive and pass on those traits to their offspring and those with less favorable traits do not. This causes the favorable traits to become more common over time.
What is Natural Selection?
True or False:
In order for Natural Selection to occur, the advantageous trait must be inheritable.
True
Some foxes grow long white fluffy coats during the winter, and shed those coats to a thinner, darker coat during the summer which helps them more successfully hunt. Their offspring inherit this trait from their parents.
Yay - there is variation, that variation provides an advantage and the trait is inheritable
What areas were especially helpful to Darwin in making his discoveries?
The Galapagos Islands (or just islands)
A characteristic of an organism; can be genetic or acquired.
What is a trait?
Genetic variation, and in turn natural selection and evolution, can occur through random mutations in the offspring, also called this.
Decent with modification.
A group of fish inherit stronger jaws from their parents which help them eat food that other members of their species can not eat.
yay - There is variation in traits that is inheritable and provides a survival advantage.
What species did Darwin study that helped him develop his theory? (Name one)
Finches or Tortoises
A physical feature or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
What is an adaptation?
After the discovery of Natural Selection, this theory of evolution become more widely accepted. In simple terms, the theory means all life evolved from a common ancestor.
Common descent.
Wildlife rangers in Africa will sometimes cut the horns off of wild rhinos to help protect them from poaching.
Nay - The trait is not inheritable
What previous knowledge did Darwin draw upon to help inform his theory? (Hint: it is done by farmers)
Artificial Selection/Selective breeding