SBI3U1
NAME:
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EVOLUTION EXPECTATIONS
Origins of Evolutionary Science
Evolutionary Theory
 Explain what is meant by the term evolution, and species
 List four categories of evidence for evolution and briefly describe each one
Evidence From the Past
 The fossil of Archaeopteryx is considered to be a transitional species.
a.
What is meant by a transitional species?
b.
List characteristics of Archaeopteryx that are reptile like.
c.
List characteristics of Archaeopteryx that are birdlike.
 Paleontologists have constructed the diagrams to outline the evolution of the horse. Outline the possible types of
evidence that these scientists might have used in constructing this model.
Early Ideas About Evolution
 Carl Linnaeus, Gregor Mendel, and Jean Baptiste Lamarck are important to the study of evolution because they…
 Charles Lyell wrote Principles of Geology. This book was important to the formation of the Theory of Evolution
because it
 The major weakness in Lamarck's explanation of evolution is the fact that
 Which scientist was associated with forming the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?
Darwin's Voyage of Discovery
 Charles Darwin is important to the study of evolution because he…
What Darwin Observed
 Explain what is meant by the term homology, vestigial feature, artificial selection and analogous structures. Include an
example to demonstrate each.
The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
 Explain what is meant by the term industrial melanism. Include an example to demonstrate industrial melanism.


An examination of the fossil evidence indicates that, over time, giraffes have become taller, with longer legs and
necks.
a.
Explain this evidence using the Theory of Evolution by Acquired Characteristics.
b.
Explain this evidence using the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.
Explain what is meant by the term natural selection.
Mechanisms of Evolution
Genetic Variation
Random Change
 Explain what is meant by the term genetic drift and gene flow. Include an example to demonstrate each.
 Explain what is meant by evolutionary fitness.
 Describe mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow, and explain how they contribute to evolutionary changes.
Patterns of Selection
 Explain what is meant by the term nonrandom mating. Include an example to demonstrate nonrandom mating.
 Explain what is meant by the term stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive selection. Include an
example to demonstrate each.
 Explain what is meant by sexual selection and sexual dimorphism. Include one example.
 African cichlids inhabit ecologically isolated rift valley lakes in East Africa. Scientists believe that a geological event
approximately 10 000 years ago changed the direction of a river and allowed individuals of one species of cichlid to
enter the lakes.
a.
Discuss the African cichlid as an example of the founder principle.
b.
Discuss the African cichlid as an example of adaptive radiation.
c.
Discuss the African cichlid as an example of genetic drift.
d.
Discuss the African cichlid as an example of directional/disruptive/stabilizing selection(s).
e.
Discuss the African cichlid as an example of sexual selection and sexual dimorphism.
Cumulative Selection
 Explain what is meant by altruism. Include one example.
Speciation The Formation of New Species
 What is speciation and how does it occur?
 Why do 14 species of finches inhabit the Galapagos Islands, instead of just a few? Where did they come from?
 Name and describe examples of prezygotic isolating mechanisms, under the headings
a.
factors that prevent mating
b.
factors that prevent fertilization
 Name and describe examples of postzygotic isolating mechanisms.
 Describe the processes and mechanisms of evolution that might play a role in allopatric and sympatic speciation.
 Explain, using an example of each, how reproductive isolation of two different populations can occur as a result of:
mechanical isolation, ecological isolation, behavioural isolation, gametic isolation, temporal isolation
The Evolutionary History of Life
Originating Events
 Discuss the main ideas in the primary abiogenesis theory and the panspermia theory.
Diversification and Extinctions
 Explain what is meant by the terms gradualism and punctuated equilibrium? Include an example to demonstrate each.
 What key pieces of evidence strongly support the idea that mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved through
endosymbiosis?
Pathways of Evolution
 Explain what is meant by the term founder effect? Include an example to demonstrate founder effect.
 Explain what is meant by the terms divergent evolution and convergent evolution. Include an example to demonstrate
both.
 Explain what is meant by the term parallel evolution and co-evolution. Include an example to demonstrate both types
of evolution.
 Explain what is meant by the term adaptive radiation. Include an example to demonstrate adaptive radiation.
Phylogenetic Relationships
 Be able to interpret various cladograms.
Evolution Expectations
Overall Expectations
By the end of this course, you will:
C3. demonstrate an understanding of the theory of evolution, the evidence that supports it, and some of the mechanisms
by which it occurs.
Understanding Basic Concepts
By the end of this course, you will:
C3.1 explain the fundamental theory of evolution, using the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection to illustrate the
process of biological change over time
C3.2 explain the process of adaptation of individual organisms to their environment (e.g., some disease-causing bacteria
in a bacterial population can survive exposure to antibiotics due to slight genetic variations from the rest of the population,
which allows successful surviving bacteria to pass on antibiotic resistance to the next generation)
C3.3 define the concept of speciation, and explain the process by which new species are formed
C3.4 describe some evolutionary mechanisms (e.g., natural selection, artificial selection, sexual selection, genetic
variation, genetic drift, biotechnology), and explain how they affect the evolutionary development and extinction of various
species (e.g., Darwin’s finches, giraffes, pandas)
Communication
By the end of this unit, students will:
C2.1 use appropriate terminology related to evolution, including, but not limited to: extinction, natural selection, phylogeny,
speciation, niche, mutation, mimicry, adaptation, and survival of the fittest [C]