Download Evolution: Exam Study Guide

Evolution: Exam Study Guide
Name:__________________________________________________Date:___________Block:_______
th
Exam Date: Monday, march 27
1. What did Darwin observe in the species (tortoises, finches, iguanas, etc.) he saw on the Galapagos?
2. What were the adaptations Darwin noticed in the species of finches on the Galapagos Islands?
3. The adaptations observed in the finches and tortoises on the Galapagos led Darwin to believe what
about their ancestral history?
4. Darwin began formulating his concept of evolution after observing what during his trip?
5. What did Darwin learn from reading the work of Hutton and Lyell?
6. What major concepts are included in Lamarck’s theory of evolution?
7. Lamarck believed that new organs in a species appear as a result of what?
8. If the wings of fruit flies were clipped short for 50 generations, and the 51st generation was born
with normal length wings, what would this disprove about evolution – natural variations, acquired
characteristics, or survival of the fittest?
9. If a farmer were to breed livestock based on their natural variations that were found
useful/beneficial, what would this process be called?
10. What do fossils tell us about evolutionary relationships?
11. What is an adaptation? Give an example.
12. What term from Darwin’s concept of natural selection would describe when lions prey on a herd of
antelopes and some of the antelopes are killed while others escape?
13. When members of a population live long enough to reproduce, what can be said about them with
regards to natural selection?
14. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is called what?
15. According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, which individuals tend to survive?
16. Define natural selection.
17. What are vestigial structures and give an example of some.
18. If modern sea star larvae resemble primitive vertebrate larvae, what does this suggest about the
relationship between the two?
19. Summarize Darwin’s theory of evolution.
20. Explain homologous structures.
21. Does the following statement agree with Darwin’s theory of evolution (yes or no): more offspring
are produced than can possible survive. Explain your answer.
22. Is inheritance of acquired traits included in Darwin’s theory of evolution?
23. Define gene pool.
24. Define polygenic trait.
25. What types of traits do gene pools usually contain the most of – single or polygenic?
26. What accounts for genetic biodiversity existing in modern multicellular organisms?
27. A change in the gene pool of a population exemplifies what?
28. What are the two main sources of genetic variation?
29. What is gene shuffling?
30. Define directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection. Draw graphs that represent each!
31. Compared to a polygenic trait, how many phenotypes are possible with a single gene trait?
32. If a mutation introduces a new skin color in lizards, what factor might determine whether the
frequency of the new allele will increase?
33. Define genetic drift. What type of population does genetic drift affect?
34. What is the similarity between natural selection and genetic drift?
35. What is temporal isolation? Behavioral isolation? Geographical isolation?
36. Which of the following does natural selection act *directly* upon – alleles of individual organisms,
genes of individual organisms, phenotypes of individual organisms, or mutations?
37. Define coevolution.
38. Define adaptive radiation.
39. Explain punctuated equilibrium.
40. Explain extinction and what can result from it.