Biology Before Darwin: Crash Course History of Science

The video explores the evolution of scientific thought from the Scientific Revolution to the 18th century, focusing on the development of natural history and biology. It highlights key figures like Van Helmont, Merian, Linnaeus, Buffon, Lamarck, and Cuvier, discussing their contributions to the understanding of life and classification of species. The video also examines the shift from Aristotelian views to modern scientific frameworks, including the introduction of the binomial nomenclature and early evolutionary theories.

Which scientific figures were pivotal in replacing the Aristotelian framework in physics?

• Kepler and Newton

• Cuvier and Merian

• Darwin and Lamarck

• Linnaeus and Buffon

What was the primary focus of Natural History during the Enlightenment?

• Theoretical physics

• Observation-based study of living things

• Chemical reactions

• Astronomical phenomena

What was the conclusion of Van Helmont's willow tree experiment?

• Plants grow by eating soil

• Plants grow by absorbing sunlight

• Plants grow by consuming insects

• Plants grow by drinking water

What was Maria Sibylla Merian known for in the field of natural history?

• Developing the binomial system

• Studying plant growth

• Observing insect metamorphosis

• Classifying marine life

What system did Carl Linnaeus introduce that is still used in biology today?

• The chain of being

• The periodic table

• The binomial classification system

• The theory of evolution

What was the primary goal of Linnaeus's classification system?

• To prove the fixity of species

• To categorize minerals

• To create a static table of life

• To demonstrate species evolution

Which naturalist is known for arguing that species are degenerating?

• Cuvier

• Buffon

• Linnaeus

• Lamarck

What was Lamarck's theory of 'transformisme' about?

• Species evolve through natural selection

• Species are created by divine intervention

• Species remain fixed over time

• Species change through acquired traits

What concept did Georges Cuvier introduce to explain changes in species?

• Binomial classification

• Transformisme

• Catastrophism

• Natural selection

Which of the following thinkers opposed the idea of evolution?

• Lamarck

• Buffon

• Cuvier

• Linnaeus