Download Study Guide for Exam I

BIL 107 – Introduction to Evolution
Krempels
STUDY GUIDE FOR EXAM I
The first exam will cover material in Chapters 1-4. The notes on the exam will be up to Lecture
5, including 5a, the film “Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life.” The following checklist should
help you focus on what’s most important, but don’t think of it as a substitute for reading the
notes and text! Anything in the notes and text is fair game! And, of course, you’ll always do
much better if you come to class and have things explained in person. Otherwise…caveat
emptor (since you’re paying to be here!).
Common Misconceptions about Evolution
Know the meaning/definition of evolution, organic evolution. Be able to recognize an example of organic
evolution, which is NOT a change in a single individual, but rather a change in a population over
generations.
Understand the difference between theories about evolution vs. theories about the origin of life. Know
that evolution does not have a “goal” and be able to distinguish between examples illustrating this type of
misconception.
Know why organisms do not evolve things because they “need” them. Understand how natural selection
is the basis for much of evolution, though random processes also play a role. The linked site (UC Berkeley
Evolution 101) in Lecture #1 is very helpful, and you should consider this part of your assigned reading (If
you’re too eager to go to Lecture 1, the link can be found here:
http://www.evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/misconceps/index.shtml
Read all through the last page: “Misconception: “Evolution is itself ‘religious,’ so requiring teachers to
teach evolution violates the First Amendment.” These pages are quick and easy to read, and are not to be
memorized. Simply read and understand the message!
The Evolution of Evolutionary Thought
Know the meaning/significance of: biodiversity, “descent with modification”, spontaneous generation,
Know the proper way to write a scientific name: It consists of the genus (capitalized) and the species
epithet (lower case), and both words in italics.
Know the contributions to understanding the origin of life of: Francesco Redi, Anton van Leewenhoek,
Geroges Buffon, Louis Pasteur, Harold Miller and Stanley Urey (What is the Miller-Urey apparatus, and
what did it show us?)
Know the contributions to the understanding how life evolves of: Jean Baptiste Lamarck, Georges Cuvier,
Thomas Malthus, James Hutton and Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin, Mootoo Kimura.
What the Rocks Tell Us
Know the meaning/significance of: fossil, sedimentary vs. igneous rock (which one generally has the
fossils in it? Why?), body fossils vs. trace fossils, gastrolith, coprolith, mold, cast, altered vs. unaltered
fossils.
What characteristics of an organism are conducive to fossilization? What environmental conditions are
conducive to fossilization?
Know the definition/meaning of: atom, molecule, electron, proton, neutron, organic vs. inorganic
molecules, isotope, radioactive decay, half-life,
Know the basic difference between relative dating and radiometric dating. (Don’t memorize the specific
techniques for radiometric dating, but know that fossils can be dated by measuring the amounts of
radioactive isotope and its stable decay product.) Which technique allows a scientist to give an actual
age, in years, to a fossil? Which radioactive isotope is best for dating relatively recent fossils? (HINT:
You’re made up mostly of this one, and you stop taking up the radioactive form once you die.) Which one
is best for dating the very oldest fossils? (HINT: This is the one profiled in your textbook.)
Know the approximate ages of: the universe, the solar system, life on earth. On that famous 24-hour
clock metaphor, how long have we modern humans been here?
What Living Things Tell Us
Know the four basic lines of evidence for evolution.
Know what is meant by a homology, and why these are important bits of evidence for evolution.
Understand homology at the various levels (morphology, ontogeny, molecules). What is the difference
between a homology and analogy. Be able to tell the difference if I were to describe examples you’ve
never heard before (these won’t be tricky!).
How do scientists know how to tell if structures are homologous?
Know what is means by primitive vs. derived characters, and be able to recognize examples you’ve never
heard of before. (Meaning: concentrate on knowing what these terms MEAN; don’t just memorize
examples without knowing what the terms mean.)
Know the meaning of: atavistic, exaptation, vestigial, ontogeny, phylogeny, heterochrony, paedomorphy
The Tree of Life
Know the difference between taxonomy and systematics. What is Systema naturae and who wrote it?
Know the order of the taxonomic hierarchy, from largest (most inclusive) to smallest (least inclusive).
(“Did King Philip come over from Germany stoned?”)
Know what is meant by: taxon, character, character state, phylogeny, taxonomy, systematics,
phylogenetic tree, primitive vs. derived characters, symplesiomorphy vs. synapomorphy
Be able to read a phylogenetic tree. Where are the hypothetical ancestors? Where are the descendants,
living and extinct? What is represented by the nodes, the base of the tree, and the ends of the branches?
Why is it more useful to use shared, derived characters than primitive ones to classify organisms into
smaller, more specific groups?
Know how to correctly write a scientific name: Genus is capitalized, species is lower case. Both are
italicized to indicate a language different from the rest of the text (Latin!).
Know the meaning/significance of: taxon, taxon’s name, rank and content. Be able to recognize
practical examples of how taxonomy and systematics can be applied in real life situations.
Know what is meant by monophyletic, polyphyletic, and paraphyletic taxa. Which one(s) does the
systematist attempt to create to correctly reflect evolutionary relationships?
Darwin’s Journey: Darwin and the Tree of Life
In terms of Darwin’s life, travels and science, know the significance of: HMS Beagle, Galapagos
Islands, Alfred Wallace, “survival of the fittest” (does that really mean anything? If so, what?) Know
specifically what is meant by the term evolutionary fitness.
Understand the four basic tenets of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
Know the meaning/significance of: species, population, scientific hypothesis, theory, law.
If you would like to watch the movie again, you can see it here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsxubk_charles-darwin-and-the-tree-of-life-davidattenborough_shortfilms