Darwin's Observations and the Theory of Evolution

Flashcards on Darwin's Observations and Theory of Evolution

Species Vary Globally

Related species from different parts of the world living in similar environments look and act in similar ways.

Endemic Species

Species found nowhere else in the world.

Species Vary Over Time

Fossils from each continent were similar to modern species of that continent, but some did not resemble any modern species.

Charles Lyell's Ideas

Earth's physical features could be explained by gradual geologic processes occurring over long periods of time.

Darwin's Experience in the Andes

Earthquakes would gradually lift rocks, including marine fossils, from the sea floor.

Darwin's Conclusions After His Return

Species changed over time, and Earth was very old.

Thomas Malthus's Ideas

The human population could grow much more quickly than the resources needed to maintain it, leading to a struggle for existence.

Descent with Modification

Present-day species have descended with changes from ancestral species, and descendants of early organisms migrated and adapted to new environments over millions of years.

Theory

Is a description of facts or phenomena supported by evidence and can be used to make predictions.

Theory of Evolution

Modern species are modified descendants of ancient species that have changed over time as they adapt to their environments; also, the change in allele frequency within a gene pool from one generation to the next.

James Hutton's Ideas

Rock formations were constantly being formed, and current formations took millions of years to form.

Theory of Uniformitarianism

Earth was formed by slow processes such as erosion and sedimentation and continues to shape and change it.

Georges Cuvier's Ideas

Species changed over time, and he established the concept of extinction.

George Buffon's Ideas

Earth was much older than thought and that species change over time; he developed the study of comparative anatomy.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's Ideas

Life changes and evolves, but organisms do NOT evolve from simple forms to perfection; also, the environment plays a role in evolution.