Download Evolution – Test Review - Academy Charter School

Chapter 13 – Evolution – Test Review
Section 13.1
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Define evolution – process of how organisms acquire adaptations over time
Define adaptation – an inherited trait that allows an organism to survive
Define ancestor - an organism from which others have descended
Know what a cladogram is and how to “read” it - a tree-like diagram that displays evolutionary
relationships among living species and their ancestors – the more closely related the organisms
are, the closer they are on the cladogram
How old do scientists believe the Earth is? – 4.6 billion years
Know the four lines of evidence for evolution we discussed in class
o Cells
o Comparative anatomy
o DNA
o Fossils
Know why cells are considered evidence for evolution
o All cells have a similar membrane
o All cells undergo similar types of cellular respiration
o All cells have DNA
What is comparative anatomy? - study of anatomical similarities and differences among species
Know what homologous structures are – body structures that have a common origin but do not
necessarily perform the same function
Know examples of homologous structures – human forearm, bird wing, porpoise flipper,
elephant forelimb
Know what analogous structures are - serve the same function but come from different origins
Know examples of analogous structures – moth wing and bird wing
How do studying embryos serve as possible evidence for evolution?
Know how DNA evidence supports the theory of evolution – see pg 262 in book
What is a fossil? How is it formed? - remnant or trace of an organism from the past, such as a
skeleton or leaf imprint, embedded and preserved in Earth’s crust (pg 263)
In what kind of rock do we find fossils? sedimentary
Why are there gaps in the fossil record? most ancient species did not fossilize
Section 13.2
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Who was Charles Darwin? What was the name of his ship? – English naturalist, proposed the
theory of evolution based on natural selection; HMS Beagle
What did Darwin conclude about the finches in the Galapagos Islands? – ancient ancestor, each
finch adapted to its new island environment, beaks different
What information did Darwin learn from geologists of his time? – The earth is old and formed
slowly
What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection? Pg 267 – examples of
each
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What were Darwin’s conclusions based on his observations and research: (pink sheet)
1. Organisms change over time.
2. All organisms are descended from common ancestors by a process of branching.
3. Evolution is gradual, taking place over a long time.
4. The mechanism of evolution is natural selection.
Define natural selection - the process by which organisms with favorable adaptations survive and
reproduce at a higher rate than organisms with less-favorable adaptations.
List/describe the 4 main ideas behind natural selection and describe each: pg 269/pink sheet
1. Populations over-reproduce. All organisms produce more offspring than can survive to
adulthood and reproduce. This means that many of those offspring will die without
reproducing. Survivors that are able to reproduce pass their traits on to their offspring.
2. Individuals in a population vary. There is random variation in traits among individuals in a
population of a species. The variations each individual possesses happen by chance.
Those variations are inherited.
3. Favorable adaptations are selected. The changing environment causes a selection of favorable
traits (adaptations). Adaptations that fit well with the environment are passed on to
offspring in greater numbers than adaptations that do not fit well.
4. Favorable adaptations accumulate. Favorable adaptations accumulate over many
generations. This may lead to new species.
Section 13.3
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Know that random mutations in genes produce variations of traits in a population.
Why is genetic variation important in a population? pg 272
Describe the steps in which a new species might evolve: pg 273
1. Isolation
2. Adaptation
3. Species formation
When does extinction occur? - when the environment changes and the adaptations of a species
are no longer sufficient for its survival.
Know examples of extinct species