Evolution Review Packet

Theory of Evolution Study Guide

Directions: Compare and contrast the following pairs of terms:

Acquired characteristics

  • non-heritable change in function or structure of a living organism

Natural Selection

  • Mechanism of evolution.

  • heritable traits that help an organism become more common in population overtime.

Artificial selection

  • selective breeding

  • evolutionary process by which humans select for or against certain features in organisms

Descent with modification

  • the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor.

Common descent

  • an effect of speciation, in which multiple species derive from a single ancestral population.

Behavioral Isolation

  • when species are reproductively isolated from others due to differences in behavior.

Temporal Isolation

  • happens when two or more species reproduce at different times

Convergent evolution

  • the process whereby distantly related organisms independently evolve similar traits to adapt to similar necessities

Divergent evolution

  • two groups of the same species evolve different traits within those groups in order to accommodate for differing environmental and social pressures

Vocabulary Review:

Evolution by Natural Selection. This term refers to the idea that all life on Earth descended from one common ancestor.

Evolution . This term means “change over time.”

scintific Theory . An explanation that is based on observations, experimentation and reasoning. It has been tested and is supported by a large body of evidence.

Fossils. The preserved remains of ancient organisms.

Natural selction . The process in which individuals with certain favorable inherited characteristics leave more offspring than individuals with other traits.

In herited traits . Inherited characteristics of organisms that make each individual unique.

____________________________13. Inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their ability to survive and reproduce in specific environments.

____________________________14. Structures that are anatomically different but are similar in function.

____________________________15. Structures that are anatomically similar but are different in function.

____________________________16. Structures that seem to serve no purpose in living organisms and are historical remnants of structures that were important in an ancient ancestor.

____________________________17. The early developmental stages of an organism.

____________________________18. The process whereby organisms not closely related, independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments

____________________________19. The process whereby groups from the same common ancestor evolve and accumulate differences, resulting in the formation of new species.

____________________________20. The role or function of an organism or species in an ecosystem.

Environment. The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

____________________________22. A form of speciation where an ancestral species gives rise to a new species because a particular niche becomes available in the environment.

____________________________23. A form of speciation where an ancestral population becomes physically separated leading to the formation of two distinct species.

Galapagos Islands . A group of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador that proved monumental in Darwin’s discovery of evolution.

Short Answer

25. Theory of Acquired Characteristics:

a) Who proposed this theory?

b) What is stated in this theory?

c) Explain the problem with this theory.

26. Darwin was fascinated by the different types of tortoises that lived in the different Galapagos Islands. (You do not need to know these specific examples- but they provide great insight!)

a) Describe the Hood Island Tortoise and explain the adaptation that allows it to survive on this island.

b) Describe the Isabela Island Tortoise and explain the adaptation that allows it to survive on this island.

c) Use Darwin’s theory to explain how these tortoises evolved as they did.

27. How did Darwin explain the existence of structurally similar but unrelated species?

28. Why is the “struggle for existence” central to Darwin’s theory of evolution?

29. Darwin was well aware that humans carried out selective breeding in their crops and livestock. What influence did this have on Darwin’s developing theory of evolution?





30. Summarize the four principles of natural selection.

31. Explain how each of the following provides evidence for evolution:

a) The fossil record: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

b) Structural : ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

c)Embryology:________________________________________________________________________________________________

d) Biochemistry: ________________________________________________________________________________________

32. Darwin observed many species of finches while in the Galapagos Islands. Each species exhibited slight variations in their beaks. How does this illustrate the concept of “descent with modification”?

33. Explain how natural selection might have produced modern, long-necked giraffes.

34. There are cases in which evolution has occurred so quickly that it can be observed by humans. Some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, and insect pests have become resistant to pesticides. Explain how these forms of resistance may have evolved.

35. The environment selects for extinction those species that do not possess the traits and characteristics to survive in a given environment. Humans go to great efforts to protect and save endangered species. Do you think humans are interfering with natural selection? Explain your answer.