Chapter 15- Darwin, Evolution

What did Darwin note about Artificial Selection?

Plants and animals would breed only the largest hogs, fastest horses, etc.

What books did Darwin write?

The Voyage of the Beagle and the Origin of Species

How old was Darwin when he died?

1809-1882, 73 years old

What was Darwin’s phrase and what does it mean?

“descent with modification”. principle that living species descend, with changes, from other species over time

What was Lamarck’s Hypothesis?

“use it or loose it”

Who had some ideas of natural selection?

Alfred Wallace

What are the 4 major parts of Darwin’s Theory?

1. variety exists among organisms of the same species

2. all organisms compete for limited resources

3. all organisms produce more offspring than can survive

4. environment selects organisms with beneficial traits

overtime, natural selection results in changes in the inherited__________

characteristics of population (these changes increase a species fitness in it’s environment)

What is divergent evolution?

the process where different species evolve from a common ancestor, developing distinct traits and characteristics over time as they adapt to different environments or niches

What are examples of convergent evolution?

body shapes of sharks and dolphins, or the evolution of flight in birds, bats, insects

What is some evidence of evolution?

• fossil records

• geographical distribution

• homologous structures

• similarities in early development

What study layed the groundwork for Darwin’s ideas?

fossils

where are fossils usually found?

sedimentary rock

What did Darwin call the process by which species change?

natural selection

Who did Darwin send his specimens to, back in England?

Richard Owen

What did Alfred Russel Wallace send Darwin in the mail?

letter about evolution through natural selection

On the Origin of Species contained…

evidence of evolution and a description of natural selection

Darwin’s greatest contribution was explaining evolution through comparing processes in nature to artificial selection

What does the phrase “struggle for existence” mean?

members of each species compete regularly to obtain food, living space, and other necessities in life

Explain what Darwin meant by the phrase “survival of the fittest”

individuals who adapt to their environment through fitness so they can survive and reproduce successfully

natural selection…

selects traits that increase fitness, takes place without human control, leads to an increase in a species’ fitness

common descent

principle that all species were derived from common ancestors