University:
Arizona State University
Course:
BIO 181 | Biology
Academic year:

2020
Views:

272

Pages:

1
Author:

texans105bvn

Video Worksheet: Darwin’s Dangerous Idea 1. Why was Darwins idea dangerous? Darwins idea of natural selection was considered dangerous in 19th Century England because it threatened the prevailing views of the Anglican Church and society at a large. If extrapolated beyond its role as a Scientific theory, it seemed to run counter to the notion of Humankinds supremacy and Gods hand in the World order. 2. Explain Darwins tree of life theory. The tree of life theory visually explains the interrelatedness of all living things, implying that from one common ancestor (the roots) sprung branches, which produced smaller offshoots as genetic progeny. His 1859 masterpiece included just one illustration of a tree depicting branches and extinction throughout time. His crystallized idea was that ancestors shared common ancestors at various points back in time. 3. What was the significance of the finches Darwin collected? Darwins finches are particularly suitable for asking evolutionary questions about adaption and the multiplication of species: how these processes happen and how to interpret them. All species of Darwins finches are closely related, having derived recently (in geological terms) from a common ancestor. The different species of the finches helped Darwin solidify his idea of Natural Selection. 4. How is a leaf-like praying mantis adapted to its environment? How did this species evolve? A leaf-like praying mantis adapted to its environment because if not then it would not be able to survive as then it would not be able to camouflage itself from other predators and become a threat to their existence. 5. How does DNA provide evidence that all organisms evolved from a common ancestor? DNA and the genetic code reflect the shared ancestry of life. DNA comparisons can show how related species are Biogeography. The global distribution of organisms and the unique features of island species reflect the evolution and geographical change. The DNA evidence determines evolutionary relationships among organisms and it indicates a time in the past where species started to diverge from one another. 6. Explain the term natural selection. Natural selection is the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change. Individuals in a population are naturally variable, meaning that they are all different in some ways. Individuals with adaptive traits that give them some advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce. 7. Explain the link between mutations and evolution. A mutation is a change of a genetic sequence. Mutations include changes as small as the substitution of a single DNA building block, or nucleotide base with another nucleotide base, Mutations can introduce new alleles into a population of organisms and increase the populations genetic variations. The mutation is the change in the genetic code of DNA and can lead to a change in the protein that is coded for that segment of DNA.