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Biology Pre-AP 2014
Evolution and History of Life
Chapters 15-17
A.
Darwin (chapter 15)
1. At this point in our study of biology, you probably recognize that there are many more
living organisms than you thought and that they vary tremendously in their
characteristics. Evolution is a process that helps to explain this diversity. Define
evolution.
2. Who was Charles Darwin? Briefly describe what you learned about his life and his
contribution
to science. Read about his observations from his travels around the world. What types of
observations did he make? (p.370-371)
3. Review the timeline on page 374-5. In what ways do the events depicted here influence
Darwin?
4. How is the work of Lamarck different from Darwin’s ideas?
5. What other scientist shared many of Darwin’s thoughts? This scientist prompted
Darwin to publish his findings in what book?
6. Darwin came up with the term artificial selection. What does this mean?
7. Explain each of the following Darwin ideas:
o struggle for existence
o survival of the fittest / natural selection
o descent with modification
B. Evidence of Evolution: Discuss how each of the following is evidence of evolution:
a. Fossils
b. Geographic distribution of species
c. Homologous structures
d. Vestigial structures
e. Similarities in early development
C. Answer the following general questions concerning evolution:
1. Recall the video and explain Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and his
“tree of life” idea.
2. How does his theory explain the diversity of life on earth today?
In the theory of evolution, the term adaptation refers to random genetic changes in
the DNA code of an organism, which increases an organism's ability to survive. (We
often use the term adaptation incorrectly. For example - "Johnny adapted to the cold
climate when he moved to Alaska." But since this did not result in a genetic change in
Johnny's DNA, it is not genetically transferred to offspring, and therefore does not affect
the survival of the species.) The variation in any given species is the result of random
changes in DNA (mutations). No organism can change its own DNA on demand
to fit a new environmental change.
3. Much more is known today about genetics than was understood during the lifetime of
Darwin. How has current knowledge of DNA changed the way evolution is studied?
Activity #1: NATURAL SELECTION ACTIVITY
Activity #2: MOLECULAR CONNECTION
D. Evolution of Populations (Chapter 16)
1. Individuals do not evolve, populations evolve. What does this mean? Include gene pool
and relative frequency in your answer.
2. Define evolution in genetic terms (see key concept p.394)
3. What are the sources of genetic variation observed in populations?
4. Natural selection on single gene traits leads to evolution by altering allele frequencies.
Explain how this applies to the lizard example on page 397 in your text.
5. Why is natural selection on polygenic traits different from natural selection on single
gene traits? Define:
a. directional selection
b. stabilizing selection
c. disruptive selection
6. Study Figure 16-9 on page 400. How is this figure an example of genetic drift? What is
the effect on the evolution of populations?
7. What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?
8. What are the 5 conditions required to maintain genetic equilibrium?
9. Read the “Issue in biology” p.403. How does the use of antibiotics cause the evolution of
bacteria?
Activity #3: HARDY-WEINBERG LAB
E. Speciation (chapter 16-3)
1. What factors lead to speciation (the evolution of different species)? Use the following to
guide you in your explanation:
a. Reproductive isolation (define)
b. Mechanisms for reproductive isolation: Define each:
o behavioral isolation
o geographic isolation
o temporal isolation
2. How has the work of Peter & Rosemary Grant supported the work of Darwin? p.406407.
3. Read “Speciation in Darwin’s Finches” & study Figure 16-16 on pages 408-9. Explain
how the vegetarian tree finch may have evolved.
Activity #4 - GEOLOGIC TIMELINE (Follow instruction handout)
In the results section of activity #4, include answers to the following questions.
1. Why do you think that the fossil record is so poor in the Pre-Cambrian? Is it possible that
more life forms did exist in the Pre-Cambrian but left no fossil record? Why?
2. Do you think that it is possible to construct an accurate time scale using only fossil
evidence?
3. Several episodes of mass extinction have occurred in the past. What events could cause
global extinction of this magnitude? Do you think that it takes a catastrophic event for
mass extinction to occur?
4. Are fossils able to give you any indications of the past climate conditions?
5. What are some questions that came to you as you were doing this activity?
The conclusion to activity #4 should include a discussion of how the timeline, constructed to
scale, helps to show the vastness of time involved in the origin of the biosphere we know
today. Compare to the timelines shown in your textbook.
F. History of Life on Earth (Chapter 17)
1. Describe how fossils form.
2. How is fossil evidence interpreted? Describe the process of relative dating and
radioactive dating.
3. How old is the Earth? Describe the early Earth.
4. Describe what Miller and Urey’s experiment simulated
4. How did this diversity of life arise over time? Include the following in your discussion:
a. Microspheres
b. RNA and DNA formation and protein synthesis
5. When was the origin of the prokaryotic cell?
6. What is the significance of the oxygen revolution?
7. Describe the endosymbiotic theory.
8. Why was multicellularity adaptive?
9. When was the Cambrian Explosion and why was it significant?
10. What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?
11. What is the effect of mass extinctions on the biosphere?
12. Compare and contrast adaptive radiation and convergent evolution.
13. Study Figure 17-24 and explain how natural selections may have brought about the
coevolution of the orchid and the moth?
14. One question today deals with the idea of the rate of evolution. What is the difference
between gradualism and punctuated equilibrium? (see fig 17-25)
15. Review the role of hox genes in the development of the animal body. How could these
be involved in evolution?
16. After viewing the video on tuberculosis in Russia, explain what is happening? What is
the probable cause for this event? How do you feel about this? Why is it important for
the medical personnel to understand evolution?
17. What is the controversy regarding evolution today?