Download Behavioral Objectives:

Biology
Evolution Test Topics
(Textbook References: Ch 14. 15.1 & 15.4)
















Influences on Darwin
o Lamarck’s contribution to evolutionary theory.
 Why doesn’t natural selection result in “perfect” organisms?
 Why aren’t acquired traits passed on?
o Observations while aboard the Beagle
Explain Darwin’s theory for evolution.
o What is the process called?
o Explain how the process works – How does it lead to populations adapting to the environment?
o Be able to describe his main points:
 Struggle for existence
 Survival of the fittest
 Give the biological definition of fitness
 What does the phrase “survival of the fittest” mean?
 How does the meaning of “fittest” and “fitness” differ?
 Descent with modification
o Importance of genetic variation
 What is the primary source of most genetic variation in a population?
 Contribution of sexual reproduction to evolution
o Why do populations adapt/evolve and not individual organisms?
Evidence of evolution.
o Fossil record
o Embryology/development
o Comparative anatomy (homologous structures)
o Molecular biology
o Geographic distribution of species (Pangea)
o Artificial selection v. Natural selection.
Relate pesticide resistance in insects, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, Black Plague & HIV resistance in humans to
natural selection.
o How does misuse of antibiotics affect evolution of disease-causing bacteria like tuberculosis (PBS video clip)
o Be able to explain the hypothesis discussed in the “Mystery of the Black Death” video regarding Black Plague
resistance/immunity and the connection to HIV. Be able to identify evidence cited that supports the
hypothesis discussed. Know the relation between the two diseases (similarity in how each attacks the body)
despite plague being bacterial and HIV being viral.
Relate natural selection to Darwin’s finches & persistence of the sickle-cell allele in Africa
Influence of genetic drift, gene flow, mutation, and natural selection on allele frequency in a gene pool.
o Bottle neck effect & founder effect
Genetic equilibrium – What is it? What conditions must be met for it to occur? (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium)
Evolution in polygenic v. single-gene traits
o Stabilizing v. directional v. disruptive selection.
Distinguish between microevolution and macroevolution.
Define a biological species
o List & describe types of reproductive barriers between species.
o Contribution of geographic isolation and adaptive radiation to species diversity.
Opportunities that set the stage for adaptive radiation.
Convergent v. Divergent evolution.
o Homologous v. analogous structures
Coevolution
Punctuated equilibrium model v. gradualism
Radioactive & Relative Dating
Classification/Taxonomy
o Cladograms
o Dichotomous keys
o Linnean classification