Section 6 Quiz Review

Genetic change over time. What is evolution? Genetic change over time.

How long does it take evolution to take place? Millions of years

Explain the theory of common ancestry. When an original species changes over time into two or more species

Who was Charles Darwin? He came up with the theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest

Why were finches on Galapagos Island different? They all had different sized beaks because they all had different diets (different niches)

Why were tortoises on Galapagos Island different? They all had different sized shells because they all had different diets (different niches). And according to Hutton and Lyell, the Galapagos islands broke up due to Pangea at one point and separated the land masses and the species that lived on them.

What theory did Darwin propose? The theory of natural selection.

What are the five types of evidence that support the theory of evolution? Fossil record DNA Homologous structures Embryo development Geography

How do fossils prove that living things change over time & that the earth is many millions of years old? They provide a record of how organisms have changed over time; and since many species take millions of years to evolve, the fossil record helps support that Earth is many millions of years old.

How can animals on different continents can have similar adaptations but different common ancestors? If animals live in similar environments, or if they have similar natural selection situations, they will have similar adaptations even if they have different common ancestors. For example, an artic fox has white fur and an artic owl has white feathers to blend into the snowy environment they live in. these animals come from different common ancestors, but they have the similar white phenotype adaptation because they live in similar artic environments.

How does embryo development support the theory of common ancestry? The embryo (baby cells) of vertebrates (animal with a backbone) support the theory of common ancestry because after meiosis, they all develop the body tissues and organs in the same pattern and order. For example, the anus develops first, then the gut, so on and so forth.

How do homologous structures support the theory of common ancestry? Homologous structures support the theory of common ancestry because it shows how many animals have the same bone structures in common even though they use it for different functions (i.e. a whale for swimming and a human for grasping). Therefore, it supports the fact that at one point some animals had a common ancestor that they shared.

How do vestigial structures support the theory of common ancestry? Vestigial structures have no function and no affect on the organism’s survival. Therefore, their existence supports common ancestry because they inherited the trait from their ancestor even though they don’t need it (i.e. the whale and its leg bone).

How is DNA used to support the theory of common ancestry? Common ancestry can now be supported by comparing the DNA of different organisms to see the similarities between them.

What are the four factors that cause evolution? Carrying capacity Variation Competition Fitness

Explain what carrying capacity is. When the growth of a species is limited by the environment they live in.

Explain why variation among species is required for evolution. Variation provides a species with differences within the population. These differences could help a select few individuals survive and eventually become adaptions that increase the organism’s fitness.

What is the difference between variation and adaptation? Variation is the differences found within a species. Adaptation is a characteristic that increase an organism’s chance at survival.

Give an example of an adaptation. A tiger’s stripes helps it to camouflage into its environment when hunting.

Give an example of a variation. Some humans have freckles and some humans do not. Having freckles does not increase your chance of survival.

When organisms compete for limited resources. What is competition? When organisms compete for limited resources.

Why does competition take place among species? When there is limited resources (mates, shelter, food) animals fight each other for basic needs.

Give an example of competition among species. Some baby animals are known to kill their siblings due to competition for attention/food/shelter from their parents.

The ability to survive and reproduce viable and fertile offspring. What is fitness? The ability to survive and reproduce viable and fertile offspring.

What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection? Artificial Selection: When humans decide which organisms should be fit (able to survive and reproduce). Natural Selection: When nature decides which organisms should be fit (able to survive and reproduce).

Give an example of natural selection. Albino chameleons are less fit because it is difficult for them to survive in their habitat when they cannot camouflage. If they can’t survive, they can’t reproduce; nature selects against them.

Give an example of artificial selection. Chickens that produce the most eggs will be chosen to mate and reproduce offspring because their DNA allows them to lay a lot of eggs; farmers will be more profitable with these types of chickens than others; humans are selecting for them.