1.1: Evolution Prior to Darwin

What was a common belief about species in medieval prescientific thought?

Species could change through processes like spontaneous generation and hybridisation.

Explanation: Medieval prescientific beliefs included ideas like spontaneous generation, hybridisation, and environmental-induced transformation, which are all part of the concept of transmutation.

What was one of Carl Linnaeus’s key contributions to biological classification?

He established the Natural System with binomial nomenclature and hierarchical structure.

Explanation: Linnaeus introduced binomial nomenclature and hierarchical system of classification, which are fundamental to taxonomy.

What was Georges Cuvier’s main argument against evolution?

He believed in catastrophism due to the interdependence of parts and fossil evidence.

Explanation: Cuvier argued that the interdependence of anatomical parts and fossil evidence of sudden appearances and disappearances support catastrophism, not evolution.

What is the name of the medieval belief that species could turn into other another, hybridise and appear out of nowhere?

Transmutation

Explanation: In medieval thought, transmutation referred to the idea that species were not fixed and could change into other species through processes such as spontaneous generation, hybridisation, or transmutation.

Carl Linnaeus

Binomial naming and the Natural System

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Vital fluid and inheritance acquired characterisitics.

Buffon

Species descended from ancestral species.

Georges Cuvier

Catastrophism

Natural System from lowest to highest

Species

Genus

Order

Kingdom

Which of the following was NOT one of the main reasons of criticism of early evolutionary theories discussed in the chapter?

Industrial business owners