Download Chapter 15 Questions – unless otherwise indicated, answer the

Chapter 15 Questions – unless otherwise indicated, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Section 1
1. Describe how Cuvier’s and Lyell’s geological theories influenced Darwin’s formation of the theory of
evolution.
2. Give a real-life example of why Lamarck’s theory of evolution was rejected.
3. Explain how a particular population relates to each of the four parts of evolution by natural selection.
4. Explain why some biologists say that “fitness is measured in grandchildren.”
5. Suppose that an individual has a new trait that makes it live longer than others in its population. Does this
individual have greater fitness? Explain.
6. Relate what you have learned about genetics and heredity to the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Section 2: also complete the comparative limb and amino acid worksheets
1. List the order of organisms from deepest in the earth to the surface of one group of organisms (amphibian,
shark, reptile, mammal, human, bird). Describe why you think this is the correct order. Reference structural
evidence, when possible.
2. Compare and contrast the concepts of homologous structures and analogous structures.
3. Compare and contrast the embryos on p. 306 in their earliest stage. Evaluate the usefulness of
embryological evidence—how strong a support of evolution do you think embryo similarities provide?
4. Does natural selection act on vestigial structures? Support your answer.
5. If the DNA of a whale, a hippopotamus, and a camel were compared, what finding would support the
model on p. 307? How similar would each organism’s DNA be to the others?
6. Fly embryos and frog embryos differ from each other more than frog embryos and ape embryos do.
Approximate a phylogenetic tree for these organisms based on this information.
Section 3
1. Sometimes convergent evolution causes scientists to create phylogenetic trees that show incorrect
relationships between organisms. Why?
2. Consistently in earth’s history, divergent evolution had to occur after each mass extinction. Why?
3. What is the meaning of radiation as used in the term adaptive radiation?
4. Compare and contrast artificial and natural selection.
5. Give an example of species that are likely to be coevolving. Describe how each species influences the
evolution of the other species.
Name _________________________________________
Period _________
Describe one example of evolution in action within the realm of 1) medicine (hint: bacteria or viruses), 2)
humans (hint: vestigial structures), 3) agriculture (hint: artificial selection of traits), 4) conservation (hint:
endangered species as related to environmental change), or 5) biotechnology (hint: genetically manipulated
pesticide-resistant plants).
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