Evolution 3uz1o

Name: Jessica Nicholson

AP Bio Pre-Discussion Questions: Introduction to Evolution

Questions to answer: 1. Explain how the work of the following folks contributed to the development of the Theory of Natural Selection ← a. Thomas Malthus ← Malthus discovered the idea of exponential population growth. This helped develop the Theory of natural selection because it made, what Darwin called, a checking factor for species. It limits the population so only the strongest, most fit for an environment survive. ← b. Georges Cuvier ← Cuvier developed the concept of extinction, this related to and developed natural selection because it extended the idea that if an organism is not fit enough or able to survive in its environment it will die off. ← c. Charles Lyell ← Lyell helped develop the idea of natural selection by realizing the earth was much older than was previously imagined. This discovery helped natural selection because it showed that the earth and the things on it have been developing and hanging for a long while. They were not just created perfectly by god in a short amount of time. He also discovered uniformitarianism. This was the idea that the things happening on earth now are similar to the things in the past. This showed that things were constantly evolving and developing. ← 2. Explain how evolution as it was conceived of by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck differs from Natural Selection. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck’s differs from natural selection because his ideas state that a trait was developed when that certain trait was needed and then ed down. In natural selection that is not the case. In natural selection an organism is born with a trait and when the environment changes and that trait is needed it is ed on because organisms without it cannot survive any long. You have to be born with a trait you cannot just develop it by use and disuse. 3. Draw a diagram illustrating the process of natural selection. Make sure your diagram includes all of the following features: ← a. overproduction of offspring ← b. variation among individuals ← c. limited resources ← d. competition ← e. differential reproductive success (“fitness”) Monahan

Name:

← f. adaptation 4. Explain how each of the following demonstrate Darwinian selection. For each, indicate the source of selection, the criteria that determines fitness in the environment, and the end result of the selective process: ← a. Artificial selection ← The source of article selection is human need or want. The fitness in the environment of this selection is through two people with irable traits choosing to reproduce with one another. The end result of this process is an offspring with a new and different look or ability b. Galapagos finches ← The source of the change in the Galapagos finches was the drought decreasing the food variety for the finches, leaving only big and hard shelled seeds for the birds. The beaks ultimately determined what finches died and which lived to reproduce and further spread their traits. The end result in this case was finches with bigger and stronger beaks to break through big shells more easily. ← c. The evolution of resistance in a population of insects or bacteria (you pick). ← In everyday life, insects are sprayed with pesticides in an attempt to rid them from a human’s life. Some insects are born immune to the death of pesticide. These insects live on and are able to reproduce with one another resulting in bugs that are strictly resistant to the pesticides. ← 5. How has modern science refined our understanding of evolution since Darwin/Wallace’s publication? We know understand in science that natural selection is a result of mutation. When an offspring has different traits then its parents it is because the DNA found inside that offspring has been mutated. This mutation can be good or bad, it depends on the circumstance. But, without Darwin and Wallace’s knowledge this may have never been discovered, or would have been discovered much later. Things you should make sure you understand:(feel free to ask questions about them in class) 1. How the work of Charles Darwin was shaped by the contributions of other scientists from a variety of disciplines, and the events of his life. 2. How evolution suggests an ancient Earth, and common ancestry of all living things, and how these two thoughts are, in turn, ed by a wide variety of evidence. 3. Why evolution is still so controversial in certain parts of American society.

Vocab To Know:  Emergent properties 

Systems biology



Eukaryotic cell



Prokaryotic cell Monahan

Name: Jessica Nicholson



Genes



Gene expression



Genome



Genomics



Bioinformatics



Natural selection

Monahan