Matt Moffitt

Biology 1010 Final Exam Take-home NAME________________

1) (5 pts) In order for Hardy and Weinberg to formulate a mathematical model for microevolution they
made five assumptions. List these assumptions and explain why they dont reflect what happens in
nature.

The Hardy-Weinberg principle assumes conditions with no mutations, migration,

emigration, or selective pressure for or against genotype, plus an infinite population.
These don't reflect what happens in nature because population size in nature varies,
by resources and natural disasters, and the bottleneck effect. Species choose a mate
based on ones fitness, gene flow, and founder effect. Migration and gene flow can
occur when individuals travel. Genetic drift is the way that the populations genotype
and alleles can change.

2) (3 pts) One of the volcanic islands Darwin visited had sea shell fossils in a layer of rock that was
5000 feet above sea level. Why was this important to Darwin and the development of his theory?

Because he could see that a volcanic island forms VERY slowly (let alone a 5000
foot high mountain), it helped Darwin appreciate that the earth was FAR older than
most people at the time thought. AND, Natural Selection takes a long time to
generate new species.

3) (3 pts) What was it about An Essay on the Principle of Population by Malthus that helped
Darwin and Wallace formulate the theory of Natural Selection?

Thomas Malthus blamed the decline in England on three elements: The

overproduction of young; the inability of resources to keep up with the rising
human population; and the irresponsibility of the lower classes. believed that
such natural outcomes as famine and poverty were God's way of preventing man
from being lazy.
Both Darwin and Wallace independently arrived at similar theories of Natural
Selection after reading Malthus' theory. It is linked with how the population
depends on resources to keep growing. Often times, the ecosystem doesn't have
all the resources necessary. This is where we get the phrase "survival of the
fittest."
4) (4 pts) Give an example of convergent evolution and an example of divergent evolution. Make
sure to mention homology and analogy.

Convergent - occurs when species from different evolutionary branches come to

resemble each other. (Dolphins and sharks) When two species converge the
structure is analogous.
Divergent - Occurs when species from the same evolutionary branch become
very different. (cows and dolphins) When two species diverge, their common
structures are said to be homologous.

5) (2 pts) Describe what is meant by the term Punctuated Equilibrium. How does this differ from
Darwins concept of gradualism?

In the punctuated equilibrium model, a new species undergoes changes quickly

from the parent species, and then remains largely unchanged for long periods of
time afterward. It's called this because it begins with a punctuated or periodic
change and then remains in balance afterward.
In gradualism, species diverge at a slow, steady pace as traits change
incrementally, whereas in in punctuated equilibrium, species diverge quickly and
then remain unchanged for long periods of time.

6) (5 pts) LIST and GIVE AN EXAMPLE for the FIVE types of evidence people use to support the
Principle of Evolution.

Biogeography - Marsupials are found in Australia and South America, but not in
Europe.
Fossil Record - fossils of horses compared to humans
Comparative Anatomy - the similar bone structures in forelimbs of cats, whales,
bats, and humans.
Molecular Biology -it is clear that the evolution of new functions for proteins
commonly occurs after gene duplication events that allow the free modification of
one copy by mutation, selection, or drift, while the second copy continues to
produce a functional protein.
Comparative Embryology - fish, bird, rabbit, and human embryos are similar in
appearance in the early stages.

7) (3 pts) How do biologist define a SPECIES? Describe an example were two individuals ARE the
same species AND an example where two individuals ARE NOT the same species.

Species is a group of individual organism that interbreed and produce fertile, viable
offspring. According to this definition, one species is distinguished from another
when, in nature, it is not possible for matings between individuals from each species
to produce fertile offspring.
The poodle and the cocker spaniel can reproduce to produce a breed known as
cockapoo.
The African fish eagle is similar in appearance to the bald eagle, but the two birds are
members of different species.