10/2/2015
Name:____________________________________
Directions:
Answers must be in essay form. Outline form is not acceptable. Labeled diagrams may be used
to supplement the discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. It is important you read
each question completely before you begin to write.
Darwin is considered the “father of evolutionary biology.” Four of his contributions to the field
of evolutionary biology are listed below.




The nonconstancy of species
Branching evolution, which implies the common descent of all species
Occurrence of gradual changes in species
Natural selection as the mechanism for evolution
(a) For EACH of the four contributions listed above, explain each concept and discuss one
example of supporting evidence. (8 POINTS TOTAL)
10/2/2105
Name:____________________________________
Directions:
Answers must be in essay form. Outline form is not acceptable. Labeled diagrams may be used
to supplement the discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. It is important you read
each question completely before you begin to write.
Darwin is considered the “father of evolutionary biology.” Four of his contributions to the field
of evolutionary biology are listed below.




The nonconstancy of species
Branching evolution, which implies the common descent of all species
Occurrence of gradual changes in species
Natural selection as the mechanism for evolution
(b) For EACH of the four contributions listed above, explain each concept and discuss one
example of supporting evidence.
ANSWER:
A) max 8 pts, 2 pts each
Contributions
The
nonconstancy
of species
Branching evol.
which implies
the
common
descent
of all species
Occurrence of
gradual
changes
in species
Possible examples of evidence-1pt
*Must demonstrate variation
ex. Finches, horses, dogs, whales,
etc
*Must demonstrate common ancestry
ex. Homology(embryological,
structural,
molecular processes)
ex. Vestigial structures from common
ancestor
ex. Hominoids, finches, etc
*Must demonstrate change over time
(generations)
ex. Vestigial structures (pelvic bones,
appendix)
ex. Fossil sequence
ex. Coat color changes
ex. Giraffes neck
ex. Antibiotic/pesticide resistance
Explanation/understanding of phrase1pt
*Individual variation within a species/
population (can be phenotypic or
genotypic)
*Change within species over time (not
change in an individual)
*Change in number of species over
time
*Shared or common ancestor
*Adaptive radiation concept (divergent
evolution, one species becomes
2/more)
*Small changes over time/slow rate of
change/incremental
*Genes mutate -->selection occurs -->
population evolves
*Accumulation of genetic/phenotypic
changes
natural
selection
as the
mechanism
for evolution
*must demonstrate an appropriate
*Differential reproductive success
natural selection effect
*Survivors pass genes to next gen
*No Lamarckian language (want,
need..)
*No "survival of the fittest" alone
ex. Antibiotics/pesticide resistance
ex. Finches, moths, etc
ex. Predator/prey relationships
NOTE: Examples in context may earn 2 pts
Possible examples are not limited to listings above.
An example alone, without the context of the phrase = no points.