Biol 201 Exam 1 questions with correct answers

Patterns of Darwinian Evolution - Answer change over time, change over geographic distance, resemblance to fossils, homology, vestigial traits Processes of Darwinian Evolution - Answer Descent with modification (evolution happens to populations, not individuals), natural selection (sorting process) Under the theory of evolution as formulated by Darwin, why did the long-legged tree-dwelling anoles change when they were moved to an island with a bushy habitat that favored individuals with shorter legs? A. They were eliminated from the bushes, and only found in tree-filled habitats where their long legs were adaptive. B. Individuals that were placed on bushes grew shorter legs in response. This change was passed on to offspring. C. Individuals that happened to have shorter legs produced more offspring than individuals with longer legs. As a result, the characteristics of the population changed over time. D. A supernatural power made the anoles have shorter legs, so they could survive better in the bushy habitat. - Answer C Evolution will occur if what 3 conditions are met - Answer variation, heritability, differential survival or reproductive success Common misconceptions about evolution - Answer populations change because they need to, changes in a population occur through gradual change in all members of a population, the environment directly causes change and/or mutation, mutations are intentional adaptive responses, offspring only inherit traits that are beneficial, acquired characteristics are inheritable