Evolution
True or False; An individual organism can evolve
False (the smallest unit capable of evolution is a population.
Explain how Natural Selection works.
The environment sets conditions for which organisms with certain traits will survive and reproduce better than others.
Define adaptation.
a mutation that helps an organism to survive
What do you call the preserved remains of ancient organisms?
Fossils
What is the name of the bird that Darwin studied?
Finches.
What is the definition of evolution?
A change over time.
The variety of dog and cat breeds that we have today are a product of _________ _____________.
Artificial Selection (Selective Breeding)
Give an example of an adaptation that we talked about in class.
Answers may vary.
Fossils are most commonly found in ____________ rocks. Why?
sedimentary; they form under low temperature and pressure
A _________ is an explanation for why phenomena occur.
theory
Who is credited with first describing Evolution by Natural Selection?
Charles Darwin
What are the name of the chain of islands where Darwin studied and gathered much of his evidence for Natural Selection?
The Galapagos Islands
True or False:
All adaptations are beneficial (help the organism survive).
False
The ______ ______ (all of the fossils that have been discovered) provides proof of evolution.
fossil record
A group of organisms that are capable of reproducing with one another is called ____.
A species
According to Darwin’s 4 components of Natural Selection, evolution can only occur if there is______ _______ within a population.
Genetic Variation
How do variations occur in an organism?
Random mutations in genes cause variations that may be beneficial or detrimental to the organism.
Adaptations begin as a random change in the DNA of an organism. What is a random change in DNA called?
A mutation.
When two organisms share a large amount of similar DNA, what does that tell scientists?
They are closely related
What makes the term “theory” different in science class than in everyday life?
A theory, in science, is an explanation that is supported by lots of scientific evidence (gravity is a theory).
When, over millions of years, enough changes occur within certain species of organisms that an entirely new species results, this is called ______________.
speciation
A dog loses its leg in a terrible accident. The trait will not be passed on to its offspring because the loss of a leg is an acquired trait (not an inherited trait).
True.
Explain why Evolution by Natural Selection does not produce perfectly adapted populations?
“Perfectly adapted” could only result from a process which deliberately aims to improve a population’s survival. DNA is not intelligent, and mutates randomly, producing harmful, beneficial, or neutral results/traits.
What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating of fossils?
Relative dating provides evidence for which fossils are older or younger than others, based on the layers, while absolute (radiometric) dating can provide evidence for the specific ages of fossils.
What does GMO stand for? Give an example of one AND state one benefit and one potential harm it can cause.
Genetically Modified Organism. (examples may vary)