The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Preview · 12 questions

• 01·In which book did Charles Darwin first publish his comprehensive theory of evolution by natural selection?
• 02·What is the term for a heritable trait that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment?
• 03·Darwin's famous observations of finches with varying beak shapes, which helped form his theory, were made on which group of islands?
• 04·Who is credited with independently co-developing the theory of evolution by natural selection alongside Charles Darwin?
• 05·What is the ultimate source of new alleles or genetic variation within a population?
• 06·The idea that populations tend to grow exponentially, leading to a "struggle for existence," was influenced by the work of which economist?
• 07·What is the term for a structure in an organism that has lost all or most of its original function through evolution, such as the human appendix?
• 08·Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for natural selection to occur?
• 09·The evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages, such as the wings of birds and bats, is an example of what?
• 10·What is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species?
• 11·Darwin's theory was incomplete as it lacked a mechanism for inheritance. Which field of study, pioneered by Gregor Mendel, later filled this gap?
• 12·Which term describes the process where humans, not nature, select for desirable traits in plants and animals?