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 favoured 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 who 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
What is a phylogeny? - ANSWER A model or hypothesis of the branching
relationships of populations as they give rise to multiple descendant populations
, What do branches represent in phylogenies? - ANSWER populations evolving
through time
What do nodes represent in phylogenies? - ANSWER points in time when
populations diverge
What is a clade? - ANSWER a collection of branches and nodes that includes
an ancestor and all of its descendants
What is a paraphyletic group? - ANSWER an ancestral species and some of its
descendants (not all)
What information do branch lengths convey in phylogenies? - ANSWER none
Homology - ANSWER shared derived character
analogy - ANSWER convergent evolution
The Principle of Parsimony (Ockham's Razor) - ANSWER the most
parsimonious model is the one that requires the fewest number of evolutionary
changes in the traits under consideration
How to choose between evolutionary hypothesis using parsimony - ANSWER
add an outgroup and compare
Problem with theory of blending inheritance - ANSWER erodes genetic
variation over time
What was solution to the blending theory and Darwin's theory? - ANSWER
mendelian inheritance- genes act like discrete particles and do not become
blended
Genetic variation - ANSWER the component of phenotypic variation that is
inherited
"and" probability rule - ANSWER multiply probabilities
"or" probability rule - ANSWER add probabilities (all combinations)
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 favoured 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 who 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
What is a phylogeny? - ANSWER A model or hypothesis of the branching
relationships of populations as they give rise to multiple descendant populations
, What do branches represent in phylogenies? - ANSWER populations evolving
through time
What do nodes represent in phylogenies? - ANSWER points in time when
populations diverge
What is a clade? - ANSWER a collection of branches and nodes that includes
an ancestor and all of its descendants
What is a paraphyletic group? - ANSWER an ancestral species and some of its
descendants (not all)
What information do branch lengths convey in phylogenies? - ANSWER none
Homology - ANSWER shared derived character
analogy - ANSWER convergent evolution
The Principle of Parsimony (Ockham's Razor) - ANSWER the most
parsimonious model is the one that requires the fewest number of evolutionary
changes in the traits under consideration
How to choose between evolutionary hypothesis using parsimony - ANSWER
add an outgroup and compare
Problem with theory of blending inheritance - ANSWER erodes genetic
variation over time
What was solution to the blending theory and Darwin's theory? - ANSWER
mendelian inheritance- genes act like discrete particles and do not become
blended
Genetic variation - ANSWER the component of phenotypic variation that is
inherited
"and" probability rule - ANSWER multiply probabilities
"or" probability rule - ANSWER add probabilities (all combinations)
