INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY
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Darwin and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
1. Darwin worked out a theory of evolution prior to his voyage on HMS Beagle, and used this
voyage as an opportunity to collect specimens supporting his beliefs. (T/F)
2. When biologists in the field want to determine the evolutionary fitness of an animal, they use
relative body size as their primary criterion with the larger the body size, the higher the
degree of fitness of that individual. (T/F)
3. Charles Darwin first proposed the idea of evolution. (T/F)
4. Charles Darwin visualized evolution occurring by species remaining unchanged for long
periods of time followed by relatively rapid changes in species over short periods of
catastrophic times. (T/F)
5. Which of the following statement best describes Darwin's development of an evolutionary
theory with regards to the Galapagos finches?
a. Darwin went to the Galapagos looking for evidence of evolution which the finches
fulfilled to some limited extent
b. Darwin shot all the finches on the Galapagos that did not fit into his theory
c. Darwin collected finches as part of a general study and only later realized that they
must have all evolved from one or a few common ancestors
d. a and c are both correct
e. a, b and c are all correct
6. Which of the following is NOT correct with regards to Darwin's Theory of Evolution by
Natural Selection?
a. changes which occur in adults can be passed on to progeny
b. there is a tremendous amount of variation present with a population
c. the number of progeny will eventually exceed the food supply
d. some individuals will be more fit (able to have more progeny) than others.
7. In formulating the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin collected and synthesized data on a
variety of subjects. All of the following were lines of evidence used by Darwin in
formulation his theory except
a. the existence of fossils of extinct animals.
b. the similarities of living organisms.
c. creation of the earth in 4004 BC.
d. gradual morphological changes in fossils over time.
e. structural changes in domestic animals.
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8. Which of the following lines of evidence argued against Lamarck's hypothesis of how
evolution occurs?
a. the presence of vestigial (unused) structures
b. the presence of homologous structures in widely divergent species
c. the tendency of each subsequent generation of a species to be a little more perfect than
the one before
d. a and b
e. a, b and c
9. Which of the following were widely accepted as evidence for evolution at the time of
Darwin?
a. the similarity of developing embryos between very different species.
b. the use of homologous structures for different functions such as the bones of the
forearm.
c. the presence of vestigial structures with no discernible function such as hip bones in
whales
d. a and b are both correct
e. a, b and c are all correct
10. The study of anatomy shows the existence of __ structures (e.g., bones), wherein the same
structure is used in different ways by different species.
a. homologous
b. consistent
c. interstitial
d. analogous
11. During embryonic development, __ structures such as gill slits and a tail are transiently
present on human embryos.
a. interstitial b. anomalous
c. vestigial
d. disgusting
12. Darwinian evolution is based on the existence, in every population of
a. random mating. b. variation among organisms.
c. a constant environment.
d instances of special creation.
e. all organisms in a population reproducing before death.
13. An individual who felt strongly that spontaneous generation occurred was
a. Darwin. b. Aristotle. c. Redi. d. Pasteur. e. all of the above
14. According to Lamarck, characteristics of organisms changed because of
a. chance. b. an innate drive for perfection. c. extinction of competitors.
e. special acts of creation. e. none of the above
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Matching
A. Lamarck
B. Darwin
C. both Lamarck and Darwin
D. neither Darwin nor Lamarck
1. ____ Evolution requires a high degree of pre-existing variation within a population
2.____ Evolution is accomplished by small changes which accumulate over long periods of time
3. ____ A gradual change towards perfection is a major driving force of evolution.
4. ____ Population pressures on food resources favors individuals with certain variations in
having more progeny.
5. ____ Changes in an adult which assist in survival will be passed on to subsequent progeny.
6._____ The presence of large population numbers selects for individuals who are born with
characteristics which allow them to survive long enough to have progeny of their own.
7.____ Variation in a population arises at random.
8.____ There is a tendency for organisms to become more perfect over time.
Short Answer
1. Both Darwin and Lamarck recognized that variation within a species was necessary for
evolution to occur, with Lamarck emphasizing variation arising among adults and Darwin stating
the need for pre-existing variation. Briefly explain how these two contrasting views of variation
lead to very different understandings of how evolution takes place.
2. Variation within a species and fitness are two primary components of Darwin's Theory of
Evolution by Natural Selection. Explain what these two characteristics are and how they
contribute to evolutionary change