Evolution PreTest

Evolution Vocabulary & PreTest

By Teacher Emby

What is evolution?

Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations, supported by empirical evidence.

Empirical Evidence: information gathered from observations or experiments

Examples:

• Law of Gravity

• Newton's Laws of Motion​

A statement or fact meant to describe an action or set of actions. Must be simple, true, anduniversal. Describes what will happen.

Scientific Law:

Scientific Theory vs. Law

Examples:

• Cell theory (all​ living things are made of cells)

• Atomic theory (all matter is composed of atoms)​

A well supported explanation of an aspect of the natural world based on repeated empirical evidence. Describes why something happens.

Scientific Theory:

Scientific Theory vs. Law

​Evolution is a Scientific Theory

• Science is based on observable, empirical evidence.

• Religion is based on faith, which is by definition not observable.​

​Since they are two different "fields" with two different basis, they are not competing with each other.

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Science Vs. Religion

Poll

1. Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution.

• True

• False

​It was Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection that became widely accepted.

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FALSE

The theory of evolution existed BEFORE Darwin.

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Poll

2. Individuals can adapt to their environment if the need arises.

• True

• False

Individuals are unchanging: they cannot change during their lifetime. They either live or die based on the traits they are born with.​

FALSE

As a whole, individual living things either ARE or ARE NOT adapted to their environment.

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Poll

3. Biologists "believe" in evolution.

• True

• False

​Science is not based on belief or faith, it is based on observation and evidence. The theory of evolution provides a MODEL for scientists to understand the relationship between organisms and the planet.​

FALSE

Scientists accept the theory of evolution.

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Poll

4. Humans did not come from chimpanzees

• True

• False

It does not show that humans were once chimpanzees.

TRUE

Evolution shows that humans and chimps may have come from the same common ancestor millions of years ago.

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Poll

5. Evolution is just a theory.

• True

• False

There is much evidence to support the theory of evolution, as well as direct observation of species changing such as bacteria.

FALSE

Saying that it is "just" a theory implies that it is a guess, or that it is not well supported.

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Poll

6. Only atheists accept the Theory of Evolution

• True

• False

These scientists do not find it incompatible with their faith. In fact, evolution has been accepted by all of the major world religions.

FALSE

The majority of scientists across the world are part of many different religions.

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Poll

7. Evolution is a process that explains the origin of life.

• True

• False

This means that it doesn't matter how you believe life began when you discuss evolution.

FALSE

The study of Evolution does not include the origins of life, it only explains how populations of organisms have changed over long periods of time.

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Poll

8. You can observe evolution happening.

• True

• False

In organisms that reproduce quickly, like bacteria, changes in species can be directly observed, such as resistance to antibiotics.

TRUE

We witness it all the time.

Poll

9. Evolution is primarily concerned with the origin of humans.

• True

• False

Evolution is the study of how mutations and changes in one’s environment allow certain living things to survive better than others and therefore pass on their traits (changing characteristics of that population)

FALSE

Evolution looks at all living things.

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Poll

10. There is no evidence to support that dinosaurs lived with humans.

• True

• False

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There was about 65 million years between the extinction of dinosaurs and the appearance of humans.

TRUE

There is no evidence that suggests that humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time.

Poll

11. Scientists regularly debate that evolution occurs.

• True

• False

Scientific debates occur over elements such as relationships between organisms and fossils,

The only place the evolution "debate" happens is in the social setting.​

FALSE

Scientists debate elements of evolution.

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Poll

12. The theory of evolution has been tested many times and has always been supported by evidence.

• True

• False

Evidence for evolution is found in multiple scientific fields. We will be discussing the fields of embryology, anatomy, molecular biology, and paleontology.

TRUE

Empirical evidence is information acquired through observation or experimentation.

Poll

13. There are no transitional fossils. (Fossils showing intermediate species)

• True

• False

FALSE

Museums are filled with fossils that show intermediate species.

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Poll

14. Radiometric dating is not accurate, therefore the age of the earth cannot be determined.

• True

• False

Scientists understand that certain conditions may not be possible, but there is a big difference between an estimate of 5,000 years and 5,000,000 years.

FALSE

Radiometric dating gives us a general idea of numerical age.

Poll

15. Science teachers should teach "both sides" of the topic.

• True

• False

There are more than "two sides" anyway since there are a wide range of religious views about creation.​

FALSE

Evolution is not a debate - it is a science which uses claims and evidence.

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Poll

16. Theories in science are well established; aspects of theories can change if and when new evidence is overwhelming.

• True

• False

Addition of new information is how theories can change. However, change in a scientific theory is very rare.

TRUE

Theories in science are well established because there is a wealth of evidence, data, and observations to support what the theory explains.

Poll

17. Evolution is like a climbing ladder; organisms are always getting better and more complex.

• True

• False

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For evolution, "good enough" is good enough. What is "better" at one time does not mean "better" at another.

Some groups of organisms like sharks, fungi, alligators, and mosses have changed little in the past 100 million years. On the other hand, dinosaurs resided on the earth of over 150 million years, but are no longer here.​

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FALSE

In nature, perfection is not necessary for survival.

Poll

18. Organisms that look similar do not have to be related.

• True

• False

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Just because two organisms may have developed a similar trait does not necessarily mean they are closely related.

​Birds, bats, and butterflies all have wings, but evolved independently of each other.

TRUE

Convergent evolution often occurs when two groups of organisms occupy similar habitats.

Poll

19. Mutations can have beneficial effects; this may cause evolution.

• True

• False

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If a mutation is beneficial it can create an adaptation that makes an organism better suited to its environment. This may allow it to live longer, reproduce, and pass on the mutation.

TRUE

While some mutations can be harmful, some can be beneficial.

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Poll

20. Extinction is a natural process

• True

• False

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Scientists estimate that more than 90% of the species that have lived on earth are probably extinct.

Background extinctions affect one or a few organism at a time. Mass extinctions affect massive amounts. ​

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TRUE

Extinctions occur "often" in evolutionary history.