Darwin, Lamarck and Others

Lab pages 49-50

1. What is an adaptation?

• Any kind of inherited trait that improves the chances of survival and reproduction for an organism

2. Explain 2 main points of Lamarck's theory of evolution?

1. Use and Disuse- more use makes it more developed

2. Inheritance of Acquired characteristics- characteristics developed through use/disuse are passed on (long necks of giraffes)

3. Explain the 6 major Points of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

1. Overpopulation- more offspring than necessary to maintain a population

2. Competition- resources are limited, must compete for survival

3. Variation- differences within a species, not critical to survival

4. Adaptations- inherited trait that improves an organisms chance of survival

5. Natural Selection- environment selects plants/animals (selecting agents) with optimal traits to survive and reproduce

6. Speciation- formation of new species

4. How is variation within a species important to the survival of that species?

• Make it easy to adapt to new environment

5. Describe Weismann’s experiment.

• Cut off tails of mice• Each new generation was still born with tails

6. Does the Weismann experiment support or reject Lamarck’s theory of evolution?• Proved Lamarck’s Theory wrong- acquired

characteristics are NOT inherited.

• Shortened or no tails were NOT inherited

7a. What oceanic Islands did Darwin visit to formulate his theory of evolution?• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

7b. Where are the islands located?• Near Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean

8. What was the title of Lyell’s Book?

• Principles of Geology• 8b. How did this book help Darwin with his

theory of evolution?– Hi book helped Darwin appreciate the significance

of geological events, which caused Darwin to ask himself: If Earth can change of time, might life change as well? And he realized it would take many years for life to change.

9. What was the coincidence between Wallace and Darwin with respect to their

theories of evolution?• Wallace’s studies supported Darwin’s studies

10a. What is Malthus’ explanation of population and food supply increase?• As population increased, supplies decreased– The supplies couldn’t keep up with population

growth

• 10b. How do these explanations relate to Darwin’s theory of evolution?

• Overpopulation, competition and struggle

11. Explain one weakness of Darwin’s Theory of evolution.

• Doesn’t say how variations originate and pass on to the next generation.

• Also does not distinguish between variations caused by heredity or environment