Download Study guide for exam 1

Study questions for Exam 1
1. List the scientific influences of Charles Darwin as discussed in class. For each, write a paragraph
describing what that person did and why it was influential to the development of the Theory of
Evolution via Natural Selection.
2. What is the Theory of Evolution via Natural Selection? Describe in detail the observations and
inferences.
3. List and describe the evidence for evolution as discussed in this class.
4. Describe the difference between macroevolution and microevolution.
5. What is the smallest unit of evolutionary change (i.e., does evolution occur at the gene,
individual, or population level)?
6. Define: gene pool, heritable variation, variation, population, genetic drift, gene flow
7. Compare and contrast genetic drift and gene flow. Which is more likely to result in a more
diverse population? Which is more likely to result in speciation?
8. Distinguish among stabilizing, disruptive, and directional selection. Be able to give an example of
each (can be a hypothetical example)
9. What are the constraints to adaptation? Why aren’t organisms “perfectly” adapted to their
abiotic and biotic conditions?
10. What are the prezygotic and postzygotic mechanisms of reproductive isolation? Give examples
of one prezygotic and one postzygotic mechanism.
11. Distinguish between allopatric and sympatric speciation. Be able to give an example of each.
12. What are the global determinates of climate? Contrast microclimate and macroclimate.
13. For each terrestrial biome, discuss the climate, the plant and animal life, and where they occur
on the globe. Discuss the structure of the biome. Also discuss climatic factors that determine
their location.
14. Discuss how ecosystems change with elevation.
15. Discuss plant and animal adaptations to these different climates. Correctly use the terms
ectotherm, endotherm, thermoregulation, torpor, hibernation, estivation.