Briefly describe the main idea for each of the following individual's understanding of change over time.
- Plato
- Aristotle
- Linnaeus
- Cuvier
-
... [Show More] Hutton
- Lyell
- Lamarck
- Plato: believed that organisms were already perfectly adapted to their environment, so they did not need to change over time.
- Aristotle: believed that organisms were arranged on the "Scale of Nature" from most simple to most complex.
- Linnaeus: believed that all organisms were divine creations made by God, so they were perfectly suited for an environment and did not change over time. He also created the scientific name for each organism- genus and species.
- Cuvier: believed that geologic changes happened suddenly, the theory of catastrophism, and attempted to relate fossils to modern life.
- Hutton: believed that geologic changes happen slowly, the theory of gradualism.
- Lyell: incorporated the theory of gradualism into the theory of uniformitarianism. This theory said that geologic processes happen at the same rate over Earth's history, so you can look at what happened in the present to determine what happened in the past.
- Lamarck: believed that life changes from simple to complex over time. Characteristics are acquired and modified over time, so adaptations are a result of evolution.
Discuss why Darwin called his idea "descent with modification" and why this idea is unique as compared to the individuals in question No. 1.
Darwin's "descent with modification" theory is unique because he correctly used ideas about natural selection to justify evolution. This theory says that all modern species are derived from preexisting species that changed over time. Scientists such as Lamarck and Lyle had this part of the theory correct, but they did not accurately describe evolution. Compared to the rest of the scientists, Darwin's theory was radical because none of the early scientists believed in evolution at all.
Summarize in your own words what is meant by Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection.
Darwin's theory of natural selection states that species will adapt and have qualities that are beneficial in their environment. Organisms whose traits are favored will live and reproduce, while organisms whose traits are not favored will die and will not reproduce.
Discuss how the essay by Malthus in 1798 supports the Theory of Natural Selection.
The essay by Malthus in 1798 supports natural selection because it has to do with the survival of organisms based on resources. So, even though the number of organisms can increase significantly, there are only so many (and so many kinds) of resources. These resources influence which organisms will live and reproduce and which will not.
Discuss if acquired traits are expected to evolve.
Acquired traits can not be passed down to offspring, so they most likely will not evolve. For example, a person may train at the gym and get very muscular, but these muscles will not be passed down to the person's offspring.
Imagine that you have discovered the fossil of an extinct animal in the Rocky Mountains of North America. Discuss if you would expect this fossil to be more similar (genetically related) to animals in the deserts of North America or to the animals in the mountains of Africa.
This fossil would be more similar to the animals in the deserts of North America, since they are living on the same continent. The animals in the Rocky Mountains will have some differences from the animals in the desert, but they most likely shared ancestors in North America. Animals in Africa have completely different genetic makeup and traits that suit their environment.
A non-AP Biology student makes the following statement: "Organisms adapt to survive". Explain why this is not an accurate statement.
This statement is inaccurate because it seems like the student is saying that organisms will adapt in a very short amount of time. While organisms do adapt in order to survive in an environment, it happens over several generations.
Consider the terms "evolution" and "natural selection". Students on past AP exams often use these terms interchangeably. Explain why these terms are not interchangeable.
The terms "evolution" and "natural selection" are not interchangeable because evolution refers to the gradual change in the traits of organisms. Natural selection is a mechanism that allows organisms best fit for their environment to survive (causes evolution). [Show Less]