answersLogoWhite

0

🧪

Evolution

The scientific theory according to which populations change gradually through a process of natural selection.

5,264 Questions

What is responsible for the differences between gorilla and human?

Differences between gorillas and humans are primarily due to genetic variations. Humans have a more complex brain structure, advanced language capabilities, and a greater range of physical dexterity compared to gorillas. These differences have evolved over millions of years through natural selection and adaptations to different environments.

Explain the hypothesis for the evolution of the jaws?

The hypothesis for the evolution of jaws suggests that they originated from skeletal support structures around the mouth of ancient fish. Over time, these structures were modified and strengthened through natural selection to become more efficient at capturing and manipulating food, leading to the development of jaws as we see in modern vertebrates.

What is the evolution theory of the creation of the universe?

Evolution does not concern the origin of the universe. Evolution is a theory concerning the origin of species--diverse biological organisms--via mechanisms of inheritance with modification.

The origin of the universe is best dealt with by the Big Bang theory.

Which is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes?

Mutation is not a way in which natural selection affects the distributions of phenotypes. Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can then be acted upon by natural selection to influence the distribution of phenotypes within a population.

What is the relationship between the fossil record and the scientific theory of evolution?

The fossil record independently confirms the general hypothesis of common descent, and allows palaeontologists and evolutionary biologists to confirm specific proposed phylogenies as well as specific hypotheses about the evolutionary past of various lineages.

What is the major impact of animal removal from an area?

The major impact of animal removal from an area can disrupt the ecosystem by affecting food chains, leading to an imbalance in predator-prey relationships. This can result in an increase in certain species which can further impact plant populations and overall biodiversity. It can also lead to changes in habitat structure and function.

What is a description of the Sporoderm Stratification?

Sporoderm stratification refers to the layering of the sporoderm, which is the outer layer of a pollen grain or spore. This stratification can consist of different layers with distinct compositions and functions, such as protecting the genetic material inside the pollen grain or aiding in dispersal. The structure and composition of sporoderm layers can vary among different plant species.

How did Jean Baptiste Lamarck influence Charles Darwin?

Jean Baptiste Lamarck's idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics, although mostly rejected today, was one of the first systematic explanations for evolution, influencing Darwin's thinking. While Darwin's theory of natural selection differed significantly from Lamarck's, Lamarck's work helped pave the way for questioning and exploring evolutionary mechanisms that ultimately led to Darwin's own theory of evolution by natural selection.

The person credited with being the codiscoverer of the theory of natural selection was?

Alfred Russel Wallace is credited as the co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection alongside Charles Darwin. Wallace independently formulated the theory while working in Southeast Asia, sending his findings to Darwin in 1858, prompting the publication of the joint paper "On the Tendency of Species to Form Varieties" in 1858.

Why does predator-prey coevolution can be described as an arm's race?

Predator-prey coevolution is often described as an arms race because it involves a continuous cycle of adaptation and counter-adaptation between predators and prey. As prey evolve defense mechanisms to avoid being caught, predators respond by developing more effective hunting strategies or abilities. This results in a never-ending cycle of evolutionary changes as each species tries to outwit the other.

Is the eye of a common octopus a vestigial trait?

No! The eye of the octopus is a highly adaptive trait and better than the human eye because the nerves that go to the brain are not in the way of the retina as is the case in humans, A vestigial trait us a trait that is not used for it original purpose, such as the tail bone in humans.

The French scientist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed what theories?

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is known for his theory of inheritance of acquired traits, which proposed that characteristics acquired during an organism's lifetime could be passed down to its offspring. He also suggested that organisms evolve through a process of gradual adaptation to their environment. These ideas have been largely discredited by modern understanding of genetics and natural selection.

Which fossils are the most important to evolutionary theory?

Technically, fossils are not required to demonstrate the accuracy of the central hypotheses of evolutionary theory. The accuracy of common descent and natural selection can be demonstrated effectively only referring to observations in zoology, molecular and developmental biology, genetics and comparative genomics. However, the fossil record does allow palaeontologists to have a more detailed look at the form and behaviour of past lifeforms, something that comparative genomics by itself may not, and to confirm specific hypotheses about the nature and timing of specific events in the evolutionary history of diverging lineages. In this last category, transitional fossils are perhaps the most significant markers in the fossil record.

What did Jean-Baptiste Lamarck believe?

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck believed in the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, which proposed that organisms could pass on traits that they acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. He also believed in the idea of evolution, suggesting that organisms change over time in response to their environment. However, Lamarck's ideas have been largely discredited in favor of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

How are fossil records pieces of evidence for evolution?

The change over time that is the definition of evolution is quite well illustrated in the fossil record, especially at the level of higher taxa. The simplicity that becomes multicelled complexity is well written into the mineralization of the fossils left behind over the millions of years.

How psuedogenes contributed to evolutionary theory?

These genes have lost there protein coding abilities and are riddled with deleterious mutations. Two points to the evolutionary theory contribution. By example. Firstly, all great apes have a vitamin C pseudogene that links humans to all other great apes showing common ancestry. Secondly, this gene is inactive in fruitavores ( humans are common ancestors to fruitavores ) as they eat all the vitamin C they need so this gene became invisible to natural selection and deleterious mutation accumulating in the gene were not selected against as the survival and reproductive success of these organisms was no longer affected by not synthesizing vitamin C.

Where do new species come from?

Generally when a species splits into two populations that are separated by some means that keeps the now individual gen pools from intermingling. This allows new alleles to arise in the separate populations and as time passes this frequency changes in alleles can give rise to new species.

What is the evolutionary history of primates based on?

The evolutionary history of primates is based on fossil evidence, molecular studies, and comparative anatomy. Fossil records show the gradual development of primate characteristics over time, while molecular studies help determine how closely related different primate species are. Comparative anatomy helps identify shared characteristics across different primate species and their common ancestors.

What did mammals evolve from?

Reptiles evolved some 320 million years ago from amniote ancestors, specifically from advanced reptiliomorph labyrinthodons. They were among the first vertebrates to successfully sever their ancestral tie to water, as they developed impermeable skin and a mode of reproduction that did not depend upon a body of water (internal fertilization coupled with the amnion, a semi-permeable membrane that protects the embryo in the egg and allows for an exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, allow the developing animal to breathe).

These hominids made sophisticated tools hunted large animals wore clothing and cared for the sick and elderlyTheir extinction is a mystery?

The description is consistent with Neanderthals, an extinct ancient human species. They lived alongside Homo sapiens and were known for their advanced tool-making skills, hunting large animals, wearing clothing, and displaying care for their sick and elderly. The exact reason for their extinction remains debated among scientists, with factors such as competition with other human species or environmental changes being proposed.

Who was soapy Sam?

"Soapy Sam" was a nickname for Samuel Wilberforce, a 19th-century Anglican bishop known for his charismatic personality and controversial stances on issues such as evolution. He was a key figure in the debates between science and religion during the Victorian era, particularly in relation to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

What group does the honey bee belong to?

The honey bee belongs to the group of insects known as hymenoptera, which includes bees, ants, and wasps. Honey bees are important pollinators and are known for producing honey, beeswax, and royal jelly.

What is an Ammocoete and what is its possible significance to the evolution of Vertebrates?

Ammocoete was generic name wrongly given to larva of Lamprey . Reason was its very long larval existance .It is filter feeder like some echinoderms .Later it was discovered that it is larva of Lamprey , hence this name became invalid . It supports evolution of Chordates from Echinoderms .

What is the evolution of the universe?

The universe began with the Big Bang approximately 13.8 billion years ago, expanding and cooling over time. Galaxies and stars formed as matter clumped together due to gravity. The universe continues to expand at an accelerating rate due to dark energy.

Is natural selection a source of variation within species?

No, natural selection does not create variation within a species. Instead, natural selection acts on existing variations within a population, favoring traits that increase an individual's chances of survival and reproduction in a given environment. The variation itself arises from mechanisms such as mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow.