Darwin and the Theory of Evolution: Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Darwin's theory of evolution, including historical perspectives, mechanisms of evolution, significant figures, and contemporary misunderstandings of evolutionary science.

What did early Greek philosophers assume about the world that was incompatible with evolution?

They viewed the world as eternal and unchanging.

What significant belief about the earth's age was held during the Middle Ages?

The earth was believed to be very young, dating back to 4000 BCE based on genealogies in the Old Testament.

What was the 'argument from design' promoted by St. Thomas Aquinas and later by William Paley?

The complex structure of living things is evidence of an intelligent designer.

Who developed a systematic classification system for organisms in the 1600s?

Carl Linnaeus.

What was the prevailing view of species during the time of Linnaeus and his contemporaries?

Species were viewed as fixed and unchanging.

What radical change began in geological circles by the 10th century regarding the age of the Earth?

Geologists began to argue that the Earth was very old.

What concept did James Hutton and later Charles Lyell contribute to the understanding of Earth's geological features?

Uniformitarianism, which argues that present geological processes occurred over long periods of time.

What crucial role did fossils play in the early 1800s?

They established the fact of extinction, showing that species change through time.

What incorrect mechanism for evolution did Lamarck propose?

The inheritance of acquired characters, suggesting traits acquired during a person's lifetime can be passed on.

What event in 1831 significantly influenced Darwin’s studies on evolution?

Darwin was invited to be an unofficial naturalist on board the HMS Beagle.

What was one of Darwin’s key observations while studying the fauna of the Galapagos Islands?

Species on different islands were often distinct yet similar to those on the nearby continents.

What major concept did Darwin conclude from his observations during the voyage of the Beagle?

Species are not fixed but rather change over time.

What prompted Darwin to finally publish his ideas on evolution in 1859?

A letter from Alfred Russell Wallace, proposing a similar theory of natural selection.

What was the main premise of Darwin’s book, "On the Origin of Species"?

Evolution occurs through natural selection, where species change over time.

What is 'descent with modification' according to Darwin?

It is the principle that all species are connected through common ancestry, evolving through changes in characteristics over time.

What is homology in the context of evolutionary biology?

Homology refers to similarities in structure between species that originated from a common ancestor.

What evidence does Darwin use to support descent with modification?

Fossil records show transitional species and demonstrate extinction.

How did natural selection operate according to Darwin?

Individuals in a population compete for resources, and those with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

What did Darwin identify as the critical components for natural selection to occur?

Excess fertility, variation among individuals, and heritability of traits.

Why was Darwin's idea of natural selection initially met with skepticism?

There was a lack of direct evidence demonstrating natural selection in action at the time.

What famous experiment conducted by William Dallinger demonstrated evolution by natural selection?

Dallinger raised a protozoan species at increasing temperatures, evolving populations that could survive higher temperatures.

What misconception about evolution is addressed through the concept of artificial selection?

That traits can only be 'produced' through selection, while artificial selection shows how humans have deliberately bred desirable traits.

What is one of the main misconceptions about natural selection highlighted in the notes?

Natural selection is often misunderstood as a goal-driven process, when it is just a response to environmental pressures.

How do many modern religious beliefs reconcile with the concept of evolution?

Many hold a position of 'theistic evolution', seeing God's work through natural laws without direct intervention.