Question 1

Charles Darwin

Accepted Answer

A)  grew up in modest circumstances 
B)  began to doubt the fixity of species during a voyage around the world in the 1830s 
C)  received no formal education 
D)  spent two years in Africa where he developed the theory of natural selection 
E)  was a physician who studied natural history as a hobby

Question 2

Although natural selection acts on the individual, it is argued that populations evolve. Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although natural selection acts on the individual,...

Question 3

Several events had combined to alter Western Europeans' ideas about the earth by the 18th century. These did not include

Accepted Answer

A)  the circumnavigation of the globe 
B)  the discovery of the New World 
C)  the notion of a sun-centered universe 
D)  a less than rigid feudal class system 
E)  "arguments from design", meaning structures were engineered to meet purposes for which they were designed

Question 4

In Europe during the Middle Ages, it was believed that

Accepted Answer

A)  all species had evolved from a common ancestor 
B)  evolution was the result of natural selection acting upon genetic variation 
C)  all forms were created by God and did not change over time 
D)  most species had become extinct over time 
E)  life was created slowly, over millions of years

Question 5

Charles Darwin recognized the importance of beak variation in finches while visiting the Galápagos Islands.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Who coined the term "biology"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jean-Baptiste Lamarck 
B)  Georges Cuvier 
C)  Thomas Malthus 
D)  Charles Darwin 
E)  Charles Lyell

Question 7

Which is among the reasons that about half of Americans believe that evolution does not occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  the mechanisms of evolution are simple and easily explained 
B)  the mechanisms of evolution are complex and do not lend themselves to simple explanations 
C)  most people possess extensive familiarity with the principles of genetics 
D)  most have not read and studied "On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely From the Original Type", by Alfred Russel Wallace 
E)  many people do not want clear-cut answers

Question 8

Charles Lyell, author of Principles of Geology, is considered the founder of modern geology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

By the 17th century, some scientists were beginning to break with long-held traditions and sought to investigate _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  natural phenomena 
B)  the supernatural forces that created life 
C)  the structure of the DNA molecule 
D)  how genetic mutations occur 
E)  fertility rates

Question 10

Explain why Charles Lyell's principle of uniformitarianism was important to Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace as they developed their theories of biological evolution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why Charles Lyell's principle of uniformitarianism...

Question 11

We credit Erasmus Darwin with significantly influencing Charles Darwin's evolutionary thinking.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Many people argue that evolution is "only a theory." Define theory, and then describe how evolution does or does not fit the definition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many people argue that evolution is "only...

Question 13

What is the view that the extinction and the subsequent appearance of more modern forms could be explained by a series of disasters and creations?

Accepted Answer

A)  natural selection 
B)  catastrophism 
C)  use-disuse theory 
D)  uniformitarianism 
E)  descent with modification

Question 14

There are no well-documented examples of natural selection operating in natural populations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Who was the first to recognize the role of the environment as a significant factor in evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jean-Baptiste Lamarck 
B)  Georges Cuvier 
C)  Thomas Malthus 
D)  Charles Darwin 
E)  Charles Lyell

Question 16

The discovery of evolutionary principles first took place in western Europe, made possible by

Accepted Answer

A)  advances in scientific thinking that began in the 18th century 
B)  understanding by Christians that there was a recent origin of life on earth 
C)  the cohesive theory formulated by Arabs, Indians, and Chinese that species were continuously changing 
D)  advances in scientific thinking that date back to the 16th century. 
E)  the central importance placed on evolution by physical anthropologists.

Question 17

Outline Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. According to this theory, what was the environment's role in biological change?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired...

Question 18

Charles Darwin acknowledged the importance of sexual reproduction when formulating his theory of natural selection.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Discuss the definition of fitness as it pertains to natural selection.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the definition of fitness as it...

Question 20

Carolus Linnaeus

Accepted Answer

A)  established a binomial system of classification for plants and animals 
B)  was a proponent of evolutionary change 
C)  opposed all notions of fixity of species 
D)  was a supporter of Charles Darwin 
E)  developed theories of natural selection

Exam 3: The Development of Evolutionary Theory

Charles Darwin

Although natural selection acts on the individual, it is argued that populations evolve. Explain.

Several events had combined to alter Western Europeans' ideas about the earth by the 18th century. These did not include

In Europe during the Middle Ages, it was believed that

Charles Darwin recognized the importance of beak variation in finches while visiting the Galápagos Islands.

Who coined the term "biology"?

Which is among the reasons that about half of Americans believe that evolution does not occur?

Charles Lyell, author of Principles of Geology, is considered the founder of modern geology.

By the 17th century, some scientists were beginning to break with long-held traditions and sought to investigate _______.

Explain why Charles Lyell's principle of uniformitarianism was important to Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace as they developed their theories of biological evolution.

We credit Erasmus Darwin with significantly influencing Charles Darwin's evolutionary thinking.

Many people argue that evolution is "only a theory." Define theory, and then describe how evolution does or does not fit the definition.

What is the view that the extinction and the subsequent appearance of more modern forms could be explained by a series of disasters and creations?

There are no well-documented examples of natural selection operating in natural populations.

Who was the first to recognize the role of the environment as a significant factor in evolutionary change?

The discovery of evolutionary principles first took place in western Europe, made possible by

Outline Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. According to this theory, what was the environment's role in biological change?

Charles Darwin acknowledged the importance of sexual reproduction when formulating his theory of natural selection.

Discuss the definition of fitness as it pertains to natural selection.

Carolus Linnaeus