Evolution and Darwin Flashcards

Flashcards covering key figures and concepts in the history of evolutionary thought and Darwin's journey.

Erasmus

Figure associated with early Renaissance humanism.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Proposed the idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

The incorrect idea that traits acquired during an organism's life can be passed to its offspring.

Catastrophism, Gradualism, and Uniformitarianism

Catastrophism: Earth's features are shaped by sudden, catastrophic events. Gradualism: Gradual changes over long periods shape Earth. Uniformitarianism: Geological processes operate at the same rate today as in the past.

Cuvier

Believed in catastrophism and that species extinction occurred, with new species appearing afterward.

Cuvier's Theory of Geology

Catastrophism, with sudden geological changes and repopulation by new species.

James Hutton

Advocated for gradualism; Earth's features change slowly over long periods.

Charles Lyell

Advocated for uniformitarianism; geological processes operate at the same rate today as in the past.

Variation (in Biology)

Differences among individuals within a population.

Importance of Variation

Provides the raw material for natural selection, allowing populations to evolve.

Adaptations

Traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment; essential for natural selection process.

Darwin's Journey on the HMS Beagle

A voyage around the world where he made key observations that led to his theory of evolution.

Galapagos Islands Observations

Observed unique adaptations in finches and tortoises that helped shape his theory.

Finches and Tortoises Adaptations

Differences in beak shape and size related to different food sources; variations in shell shape related to different island environments.

Fossils like the Glyptodon

Showed him that species changed over time.