evolution (part 1) (natural selection portion)

What is Origin of Species Hypothesis I, and why was it wrong?

Aristotle believed all plants and animals were placed on Earth at the beginning and none have changed over 2,000 years.

What is Lamarck’s Theory of Evolution?

It consists of the "Law of Use and Disuse," where body parts become more or less developed based on use, and the "Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics," where those traits are passed to children.

How was Lamarck’s Theory proven wrong?

August Weismann cut the tails of 20 generations of mice. If Lamarck were correct, the mice should have had small, underdeveloped tails, but there was no change in tail length or size.

If given a mystery animal and its ancestor, be able to explain how Lamarck would describe its evolution, versus how Darwin would explain its evolution.

Lamarck would argue the animal developed traits through use/disuse that were passed to offspring. Darwin would explain it through natural selection, where individuals with traits better suited to the environment have a greater likelihood of survival and reproductive success.

What is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?

Evolution occurs because of natural selection.

The four factors necessary for natural selection to occur are:

1. Struggle for survival.

2. Inheritable variation.

3. Variation in fitness.

4. Lots of time.