Evolutionary Theory (Pre-Darwin)
Q: This geologist's theory of Gradualism says slow changes shaped Earth.
A: James Hutton
Q: The study of body parts to look for structural similarities.
A: Comparative Anatomy
Q: Differences in traits among individuals in a population.
A: Variation
Q: This selection favored average colors in moths so they survive better.
A: Stabilizing Selection
Q: The very end points of a tree representing the species being studied.
A: Tips (or Leaves)
Q: Darwin’s grandfather who also suggested life evolved from one common ancestor.
A: Erasmus Darwin
Q: Structures with the same use but different origins (like a shark fin and penguin wing).
A: Analogous structures
Q: When organisms fight for the same limited resources like food or space.
A: Competition
Q: Selection where both light and dark birds were chosen by mates over average ones.
A: Disruptive Selection
Q: A particular classification group being investigated (like a genus or species).
A: Taxon
Q: This French naturalist proposed that the Earth was much older than 6,000 years.
A: Georges-Louis Leclerc (Buffon)
Q: This field studies the distribution of flightless birds like Ratites across continents.
A: Biogeography
Q: A biological phenomenon where an edible organism looks like an inedible one.
A: Mimicry
Q: These factors (like predators or climate) influence which individuals survive.
A: Selecting Agents
Q: Two groups that are each other's closest relatives on a tree.
A: Sister groups
Q: Theory that Earth was shaped by sudden, violent events like floods.
A: Catastrophism
Q: The study of chemicals in living things used to prove evolutionary relationships.
A: Biochemistry
Q: The practice of mating unrelated individuals to increase genetic diversity.
A: Outbreeding
Q: In this selection mode, humans chose small fish sizes by removing larger fish.
A: Directional Selection
Q: This type of tree is "rooted" and shows the sequence of evolutionary branching.
A: Cladogram
Contrast Catastrophism (Cuvier) with Uniformitarianism (Lyell).
Catastrophism says changes are sudden/violent; Uniformitarianism says changes are slow and constant over time.
Why do human embryos have tail bones and gill slits similar to fish?
Because species share a common origin and ancestry.
Explain how Viceroy butterflies use mimicry to survive.
They look like unpalatable Monarchs, so predators avoid eating them.
What is the difference between Microevolution and Macroevolution?
Micro is small-scale change in a population; Macro is large-scale change above the species level.
What happens if a mutation occurs in the Hox genes?
Body parts may grow in the wrong place on the organism.