Biodiversity

Evolution

Quiz on week 1 - Biodiversity

Early Theories of Evolution

• Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was a French naturalist

• He believed that organisms adapted to their environment, and those changes were passed on to their offspring (children)

• For example, a short-necked giraffe would extend its neck to reach leaves in tall trees, and the offspring of that giraffe would then have long necks

Lamarck theorised that:

• Organisms developed traits that they either needed or wanted

• Traits that were used often became bigger/stronger

• Traits that were left unused became smaller/weaker

Problems with Lamarck's Theory

• If true, there would be no simple forms of life, as they all would have become more complex

• Lamarck's theory could not be scientifically tested and verified directly

• Offspring sometimes did not have the characteristics of their parents (offspring of bodybuilders were not born with big muscles)

Multiple Choice

Who proposed one of the earliest theories for evolution?

• Albert Einstein

• Charles Darwin

• Gregor Mendel

• Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

• Marie Curie

Multiple Select

Identify some problems with Lamarck's theory (choose all correct options).

• The theory did not allow for simple organisms to continue to exist

• The theory could not be scientifically tested

• Not all offspring had the same characteristics of their parents

Charles Darwin

• In 1831, Darwin set sail for 5 years on the HMS Beagle. He was not paid for his work

• He collected living specimens and fossils as evidence, and kept excellent records

• He visited the Galapagos Islands where he studied finches and tortoises, in particular

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the ship on which Charles Darwin sailed, in 1831?

• HMS Beagle

• The Dark Destroyer

• Outward Bound

• The Set Sail

Multiple Choice

During his 5-year voyage, Darwin collected living specimens and _______ to help him construct his scientific theory.

• Stolen artefacts

• Crowns of kings and queens

• Gold and silver

• Fossils

Multiple Choice

How much was Charles Darwin paid during his 5-year voyage?

• 1 million dollars

• 5 Shillings

• Nothing

• 10 pounds and thruppence

Multiple Select

Which two organisms did Darwin study whilst visiting the Galapagos Islands?

• Frogs

• Roses

• Finches

• Sharks

• Tortoises

Multiple Choice

What was the main characteristic of finches studied by Darwin?

• Their beaks

• Their legs

• Their feathers

• Their body shape

Multiple Choice

Which characteristic of tortoises did Darwin study?

• Leg shape

• Neck length

• Shell shape

• Body width