What are the preserved remains of organisms that provide evidence to support Darwin’s theory of evolution?
fossils
species
extinctions
populations
Fossils are the preserved remains of organisms that provide evidence to support Darwin's theory of evolution. They provide a snapshot of life forms that existed in the past, showing how organisms have changed over time. Fossils allow scientists to understand the transition of species, the evolution of different body structures, and the existence of extinct organisms. By examining fossils, scientists can trace the lineage of species and understand how they have adapted and diversified.
Suppose a species of snake is living in a certain area. Some of the snakes in the population are black and some are orange. Over time, the area changes and the orange snakes have a harder time blending in with the environment. This makes it difficult for the orange snakes to catch food.
According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, what will most likely happen to this snake population over time?
Most orange snakes will survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. Few black snakes will remain in the population.
Most black snakes will survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. The number of orange snakes in the population will not change.
The black snakes will survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. Few orange snakes will remain in the population.
Most orange snakes will survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. The number of black snakes in the population will not change.
According to Darwin's theory of evolution, most black snakes will survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. The number of orange snakes in the population will decrease because they have a harder time blending in with the changing environment, making it more difficult for them to catch food.
What evidence did Darwin use to support his theory of evolution? Select three options.
in-depth studies of individual organisms
observations of fossils
finches on different islands different types of beaks
young finches that acquired desirable traits as they aged
observations of different species with varying traits
The three evidence Darwin used to support his theory of evolution are:
1. Observations of fossils: Darwin observed that fossils of extinct organisms resembled current species, suggesting a progression and transition of forms over time.
2. Finches on different islands with different types of beaks: Darwin noticed that finches on different Galapagos Islands had different beak shapes, which he hypothesized were adaptations to different food sources. This observation supported the idea that species could change over time to better suit their environment.
3. Observations of different species with varying traits: Darwin observed that different species had varying traits and characteristics. This variation, such as the different sizes and shapes of beaks in finches, suggested that species were not perfectly created but rather evolved from a common ancestor and adapted to different environments.
According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, how are the finches that live on the Galapagos Islands similar to members of a family tree?
All of the finches share similar traits.
All of the finches share common ancestors.
All of the finches are able to reproduce.
All of the finches are adapted to survive the same conditions.
According to Darwin's theory of evolution, the finches that live on the Galapagos Islands are similar to members of a family tree because all of the finches share common ancestors. It is believed that all the finches on the islands descended from a common ancestor species and have diversified over time through natural selection and adaptation to the different environmental conditions on each island.
Lemmings are small mammals that reproduce quickly. A lemming population often grows so quickly that there is not enough food for all the lemmings to eat. This results in a decline of the lemming population.
This example best supports which scientist’s ideas?
Malthus
Darwin
Lamarck
Linnaeus
This example best supports Thomas Malthus's ideas. Malthus proposed that populations tend to grow exponentially, while resources for survival and reproduction are limited. This leads to a struggle for existence, where individuals compete for limited resources. In the case of the lemming population, their rapid reproduction leads to overpopulation and resource scarcity, resulting in a decline in the population numbers. Darwin was influenced by Malthus's ideas and incorporated them into his theory of evolution by natural selection. Lamarck's ideas focused on the inheritance of acquired traits, which is not applicable to the lemming example, and Linnaeus's ideas related to categorizing and classifying organisms.
Which list includes the main components of Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Random mutations drive evolution, the evolution of a population happens slowly, organisms have common ancestors, and organisms do not change.
Natural selection drives evolution, the evolution of a population happens slowly, organisms have common ancestors, and organisms change over time.
Natural selection drives evolution, the evolution of a population happens rapidly, organisms have common ancestors, and organisms change over time.
Random mutations drive evolution, the evolution of a population happens rapidly, organisms have common ancestors, and organisms do not change.