Download Evolution and Classification Homework Evolution: Theory Due

Evolution and Classification Homework
Evolution: Theory
Due: Thursday, May 5
Read p. 283-288
1. Jean Baptiste de Lamarck proposed a unifying hypothesis of species modification during the
late 1700’s. He proposed that similar species descended from a common ancestor. What did
he mean by “common ancestor?”
2. Lamarck hypothesized that acquired traits were passed on to offspring.
a. What is an acquired trait?
b. Why is Lamarck’s hypothesis easily disproved?
3. Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently proposed that species were modified by
natural selection. What is natural selection?
4. Darwin collected 13 separate species of finches from the Galapagos Islands. The birds were
similar in appearance but had distinctive beaks. What did Darwin hypothesize was the cause
of the differences in beaks between his finch species?
5. How is Darwin’s theory, Descent with Modification, different from Lamarck’s?
6. What does Darwin’s second theory – Modification by Natural Selection – add to his first
theory?
7. What did Darwin think limits the growth of populations?
8. Darwin used the term fitness to describe organisms. What does fitness mean?
Evolution in Process
Due: Friday, May 6
Read p. 289-292
1. Look at Figure 15-7. What does the similarity in bone structure between the four organisms
tell us about the organisms?
2. How are analogous structures different from homologous structures?
3. What does vestigial mean?
4. Name one vestigial structure found in humans.
5. The genes needed to make hind limbs in whales are conserved. What does conserved mean?
6. How do differences in macromolecules like DNA and proteins provide information about the
evolutionary history of two species?
7. What is coevolution?
8. Name two species that have coevolved.
9. Look at Figure 15-11. The book uses two breeds of dog to illustrate divergent evolution.
Why is using two breeds of dog not a good example of divergent evolution?
Origin of Life
Due: Tuesday, May 10
Read p. 261-272
1. How does biogenesis differ from spontaneous generation?
2. What is the estimated age of Earth?
3. Describe the atmosphere of early Earth as proposed by Oparin.
4. Miller and Urey set up an experiment to test Oprin’s hypothesis. Were they successful in
creating organic compounds?
5. Why have scientists speculated that some RNA molecules might behave as proteins and
catalyze reactions?
6. Why have scientists hypothesized that the first cells on Earth were anaerobic, heterotrophic
prokaryotes?
7. Besides allowing for aerobic respiration, why was the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere
important to living organisms?
8. Explain the process that scientists believe gave rise to mitochondria (and chloroplasts).
Classification
Due: Thursday, May 12
Read p. 337-350
1. Describe Linnaeus’ hierarchical levels of organization.
2. The species name of an organism has two parts. What are they?
3. What is a phylogenetic tree?
4. Information from four areas is used when creating phylogenetic trees. What are the four
areas?
5. How is a cladogram different from a phylogenetic tree?
6. Which two kingdoms contain prokaryotic organisms?
7. Which kingdoms contain organisms that are autotrophic?
8. Which kingdoms contain organisms without cell walls?
9. Why has Carl Woese suggested three domains at the top of the classification hierarchy?