BLG 144 Midterm 1 | BLG 144
Midterm 1 Exam Study Guide –
Complete Review + 94 Questions &
Answers
SECTION 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
1. What is the theory of special creation?
The idea that species were created independently, the Earth is young (~6,000 years), and species
are unchanging.
2. What is typological thinking?
The belief that species have fixed, ideal forms and that variation among individuals is
unimportant or misleading.
3. What is population thinking?
A concept introduced by Darwin stating that variation among individuals is real, meaningful, and
the basis of evolution.
4. What is the great chain of being?
Aristotle’s hierarchical view placing organisms on a ladder from simplest to most complex, with
humans at the top.
5. Why was Lamarck’s theory significant?
It was the first to propose mechanisms for evolution—inheritance of acquired
characteristics—even though it was largely incorrect.
6. What is Darwin’s central contribution to evolutionary theory?
, The mechanism of natural selection acting on heritable variation in populations.
7. What is descent with modification?
The idea that species change over time and share common ancestry.
8. What is a transitional feature?
A trait intermediate between ancestral and modern forms (e.g., feathers on non-flying dinosaurs).
9. What is a vestigial trait?
A reduced or nonfunctional trait inherited from ancestors (e.g., pelvic bones in whales).
10. What is homology?
Similarity due to shared ancestry.
11. What are the three levels of homology?
Genetic, developmental, and structural.
12. What is an example of structural homology?
The similar bone arrangement in human, bat, and whale limbs.
13. What is convergent evolution?
Independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar selective pressures.
14. What is a scientific theory?
An explanation for a broad pattern in nature, supported by extensive evidence.
15. What is a law vs. a theory?
A law describes what happens; a theory explains why and how it happens.
SECTION 2 – NATURAL SELECTION & MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION
16. What are Darwin’s four postulates for natural selection?
Midterm 1 Exam Study Guide –
Complete Review + 94 Questions &
Answers
SECTION 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
1. What is the theory of special creation?
The idea that species were created independently, the Earth is young (~6,000 years), and species
are unchanging.
2. What is typological thinking?
The belief that species have fixed, ideal forms and that variation among individuals is
unimportant or misleading.
3. What is population thinking?
A concept introduced by Darwin stating that variation among individuals is real, meaningful, and
the basis of evolution.
4. What is the great chain of being?
Aristotle’s hierarchical view placing organisms on a ladder from simplest to most complex, with
humans at the top.
5. Why was Lamarck’s theory significant?
It was the first to propose mechanisms for evolution—inheritance of acquired
characteristics—even though it was largely incorrect.
6. What is Darwin’s central contribution to evolutionary theory?
, The mechanism of natural selection acting on heritable variation in populations.
7. What is descent with modification?
The idea that species change over time and share common ancestry.
8. What is a transitional feature?
A trait intermediate between ancestral and modern forms (e.g., feathers on non-flying dinosaurs).
9. What is a vestigial trait?
A reduced or nonfunctional trait inherited from ancestors (e.g., pelvic bones in whales).
10. What is homology?
Similarity due to shared ancestry.
11. What are the three levels of homology?
Genetic, developmental, and structural.
12. What is an example of structural homology?
The similar bone arrangement in human, bat, and whale limbs.
13. What is convergent evolution?
Independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar selective pressures.
14. What is a scientific theory?
An explanation for a broad pattern in nature, supported by extensive evidence.
15. What is a law vs. a theory?
A law describes what happens; a theory explains why and how it happens.
SECTION 2 – NATURAL SELECTION & MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION
16. What are Darwin’s four postulates for natural selection?
