The Historical Context for Evolutionary Theory |
1. |
Explain the mechanism for evolutionary change proposed by Charles Darwin in On the Origin of Species. |
2. |
Define evolution and adaptation. |
3. |
Compare and contrast Aristotle’s scala naturae to Carolus Linnaeus’ classification scheme. |
4. |
Describe the theories of catastrophism, gradualism, and uniformitarianism. |
5. |
Explain the mechanism for evolutionary change proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck. Explain why modern biology has rejected Lamarck’s theories. |
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The Darwinian Revolution |
6. |
Describe how Darwin’s observations on the voyage of the HMS Beagle led him to formulate and support his theory of evolution. |
7. |
Explain how the principle of gradualism and Charles Lyell’s theory of uniformitarianism influenced Darwin’s ideas about evolution. |
8. |
Explain what Darwin meant by “descent with modification.” |
9. |
Explain what evidence convinced Darwin that species change over time. |
10. |
Explain how Linnaeus’ classification scheme fit Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. |
11. |
Describe the three inferences Darwin made from his observations that led him to propose natural selection as a mechanism for evolutionary change. |
12. |
Explain how an essay by the Rev. Thomas Malthus influenced Charles Darwin. |
13. |
Distinguish between artificial selection and natural selection. |
14. |
Explain why an individual organism cannot evolve. |
15. |
Describe the experiments that supported Reznick and Endler’s hypothesis that differences in life-history traits between guppy populations are due to selective pressure based on predation. |
16. |
Explain how the existence of homologous and vestigial structures can be explained by Darwin’s theory of natural selection. |
17. |
Explain how evidence from biogeography supports the theory of evolution by natural selection. |
18. |
Explain the problem with the statement that Darwinism is “just a theory.” Distinguish between the scientific and colloquial use of the word theory. |