4.1 History of Evolutionary Theory

True or False: According to the scientific definition of evolutionary theory, evolution and religion are incompatible.

False

What theory is defined as: Earth is subject to slow and continuous geological processes and the earth is very, very old.

Gradualism

What theory is defined as: laws of nature that shape the earth are constant over time.

Uniformitarianism

What theory is defined as: Earth's geological features and the history of life have been significantly shaped by sudden, violent events like floods, volcanic eruptions, and asteroid impacts.

Catastrophism

True or False: Darwin was the first scientist to propose that species change over time.

False

What hypothesis posited that individual organisms can evolve and then pass on traits they acquire in their lifetime to their offspring.

Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

True or False: The theory of evolution seeks to understand the origins of life on earth.

False

True or False: A scientific theory is an explanation of natural phenomena that is backed with extensive evidence.

True

True or False: As new evidence is discovered, theories can change and/or be replaced.

True

True or False: Evolution by natural selection produces organisms that are perfectly adapted to their environment.

False

True or False: Evolution teaches that humans evolved from monkeys.

False

True or False: Evolution teaches that humans and primates shared a common ancestor millions of years ago.

True

True or False: Most scientists disagree with and debate that evolution occurs.

False

True or False: No one has seen evolution occur in real time.

False

True or False: Evolution is happening today.

True

True or False: The theory of evolution cannot be tested with experimentation.

False

___ went on his voyage and wrote an informal thesis on his research before ___.

Darwin … Wallace

Wallace noticed that the islands east of Asia were home to similar, yet different, species of ___ whereas the islands west of Australia were home to similar, yet different, species of ___.

primates … marsupials

What was Wallace’s conclusion that led to the Wallace Line?

Geographic barriers limit the spread of species, leading to unique differences in populations on either side.

___ was inspired by his observations in Malaysia and the Amazon, whereas ___ was inspired by his observations in the Galapagos Islands.

Wallace … Darwin

___ studied animals such as tortoises, finches, and compared modern animals to similar extinct species, whereas ___ studied butterflies and different types of mammals.

Darwin … Wallace

___ bred pigeons in a process called ___ selection as evidence to support his hypothesis.

Darwin … artificial

Who concluded that nature selects the survivors in a population based on the traits they have?

Both

Who published a book that explained their observations, evidence, and reasoning?

Both

Who read Gregor Mendel's research about heredity and applied it to their theory?

Neither

Who used DNA and genetics as evidence to support their hypothesis?

Neither

Who was ready and willing to risk sharing their scientific ideas with the world first?

Wallace

Whose research was announced to the world first through a paper presented to the Linnean Society of London?

Both