Chapter 15.1 Notes Review

Yes, the Earth has been around long enough for evolution to occur. The process of evolution takes place over long periods of time, and evidence from fossil records and genetic studies supports the idea that life on Earth has evolved and diversified over millions of years. The Earth is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old, providing ample time for the gradual changes and adaptations that drive evolution to occur.

A transitional fossil refers to a fossil that shows characteristics of both ancestral and descendant species, indicating a link or transition between the two. It provides evidence of evolutionary changes over time and helps to fill in the gaps in the fossil record. This type of fossil is crucial in understanding the process of evolution and the development of new species.

Evolution occurs through the development of new species from existing ones. This can happen through various mechanisms such as speciation, where populations become reproductively isolated and diverge over time. Additionally, evolution occurs through changes in the allele frequency of populations from generation to generation. This can be driven by various factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. These processes contribute to the gradual change and diversification of life forms over time.

The correct answer is "descent from a common ancestor." This explanation is supported by the theory of evolution, which states that all living organisms share a common ancestor and have evolved through gradual changes over long periods of time. This theory is based on extensive scientific evidence, including fossil records, genetic studies, and observations of natural selection. The concept of "descent from a common ancestor" explains the diversity of life on Earth and the similarities observed among different species.

A fossil is a preserved remain of a previously living organism. Fossils can include bones, shells, teeth, or even imprints left behind by organisms. These remains are typically found in sedimentary rocks and provide valuable evidence about past life on Earth. Fossils can help scientists study and understand ancient organisms, their behavior, and their evolution over time. They provide a window into the history of life on our planet and help us piece together the puzzle of how different species have changed and adapted over millions of years.

Fossils provide evidence of past life forms, allowing scientists to study and understand the process of evolution. By examining the fossil record, researchers can track the changes and adaptations that have occurred over millions of years, helping to trace the path of evolution. This evidence helps to support the theory of evolution and provides insights into the development and diversification of different species on Earth.

Biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, are essential components of living organisms. These biomolecules are composed of similar building blocks, such as amino acids and nucleotides, which are conserved across different species. Additionally, the basic biochemical pathways and processes involved in metabolism and cellular function are highly conserved among organisms. Therefore, it is true that many biomolecules are the same or similar between organisms.

Scientific theories are based on logical reasoning and evidence, allowing researchers to make logical deductions and predictions about the natural world. They are developed through a systematic process of observation, experimentation, and analysis, ensuring that they are grounded in logical principles. This logical foundation is what distinguishes scientific theories from mere speculation or personal beliefs. Therefore, it can be concluded that scientific theories are indeed logical.

The correct answer is "almost all." This suggests that humans and chimpanzees share a significant amount of DNA. This is supported by scientific research which has shown that humans and chimpanzees share approximately 98.7% of their DNA. This high level of genetic similarity is due to the fact that humans and chimpanzees are closely related species, both belonging to the family Hominidae.

Embryos of related organisms develop in similar patterns from the same types of cells because they share a common ancestry and genetic makeup. This similarity in development is a result of the conserved genetic instructions that guide the formation of different tissues and organs in these organisms. These shared developmental patterns provide evidence for the evolutionary relationships between related species and support the concept of a common ancestor.

It is not reasonable to claim that a scientific theory such as evolution or gravity isn't true because scientific theories are based on extensive evidence and have been rigorously tested and confirmed through experiments and observations. These theories provide explanations for natural phenomena and have stood the test of time, with a wealth of supporting evidence from various scientific disciplines. Dismissing well-established scientific theories without valid evidence or alternative explanations goes against the principles of the scientific method and undermines our understanding of the natural world.

Yes, humans and horses have the same code for genetic information, known as the Universal Genetic Code. This means that the DNA sequences in both species are translated into proteins using the same set of codons. Although humans and horses are different species, they share a common ancestor and therefore have a high degree of similarity in their genetic makeup.

Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace are both correct answers because they both independently developed the theory of evolution. Charles Darwin is widely known for his book "On the Origin of Species" where he presented the concept of natural selection as the driving force behind evolution. Alfred Wallace, on the other hand, also came up with a similar theory of evolution around the same time as Darwin. They both had extensive research and observations that led them to the same conclusions, making them significant contributors to the theory of evolution.

Analogous structures refer to organs or structures in different species that have similar functions but evolved independently, rather than being inherited from a common ancestor. This means that despite their different structures, these organs or structures serve the same purpose in different species.

The correct answer is "Whales become a new species from an old species of land mammal." This is an example of evolution where a new species develops through a process called speciation. In this case, whales evolved from a common ancestor that was a land mammal. Over time, through genetic mutations and natural selection, the land mammal population gradually adapted to aquatic life, eventually leading to the development of a new species, whales. This process of speciation involves the accumulation of genetic changes over generations, resulting in the formation of distinct and reproductively isolated species.

Homologous structures refer to anatomical features that have a similar structure and origin in different species. These structures may serve different functions in each species, but their similarity indicates that they were inherited from a common ancestor. This suggests that the species share a common evolutionary history and have diverged over time to adapt to different environments or perform different functions. Therefore, the correct answer is that homologous structures are shared by related species and were inherited from a common ancestor.

Yes, humans and strep throat bacteria have the same genetic code, which is known as the Universal Genetic Code. This means that the DNA sequences in both organisms are translated into proteins using the same set of codons. This allows for the production of the same amino acids and ultimately leads to the synthesis of similar proteins in both humans and strep throat bacteria.

The gene for malaria becoming less common in a population over 10 generations is an example of evolution where an allele frequency changes. Evolution refers to the process of change in allele frequencies in a population over time. In this case, the frequency of the gene for malaria decreases over generations, indicating a change in the population's genetic makeup. This change can occur due to factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, or migration.

Vestigial structures refer to body parts or organs that have lost most of their original functionality over the course of evolution. These structures were once useful in ancestral species but are no longer necessary or functional in their current form. Examples of vestigial structures in humans include the appendix, tailbone, and wisdom teeth. This explanation aligns with the given answer choice that states vestigial structures have lost most of their original functionality.

Evolution is a process that occurs over long periods of time and involves changes in the genetic makeup of a population. It is driven by natural selection, where certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their impact on survival and reproduction. Evolution cannot occur in individual organisms because it requires changes in the gene pool of a population over generations. These changes happen through mechanisms such as mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow, which affect groups of organisms rather than isolated individuals. Therefore, evolution occurs in groups of organisms but not in individual organisms.

The correct answer is "no can do" because it implies that there is no organism that does not use DNA/RNA to transfer genetic information. This is because DNA/RNA are the primary molecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information in all known living organisms. Therefore, any organism that exists would necessarily use DNA/RNA for this purpose.

The fossil record provides evidence of evolution by showing the existence of extinct species and the gradual changes in species over time. Anatomical and physiological evidence, such as the presence of vestigial structures or similar bone structures in different species, also supports the idea of common ancestry. Embryology demonstrates similarities in early development among different species, indicating shared evolutionary history. The universal genetic code is evidence of a common ancestor for all living organisms. Homologous molecules, such as DNA sequences or protein structures, show similarities between different species, suggesting a common ancestry.