Biology Module 9 On Your Own Questions

9.16 The three graphs on page 292 of Exploring Creation with Biology 2nd edition by Dr. Jay L. Wile and Marilyn F. Durnell, are hypothetical graphs that plot macroevolutionary change (on the t-axis) versus time (on the x-axis). Which graph represents Darwin's original hypothesis, which represents neo-Darwinism, and which represents punctuated equilibrium?

(A) represents Darwin's original hypothesis. (C) represents neo-Darwinism, thus (B) represents punctuated equilibrium.

9.15 What does punctuated equilibrium explain that neo-Darwinism and Darwin's original hypothesis cannot?

Punctuated equilibrium explains the lack of intermediate links in the fossil record.

9.1 What two concept promoted by other scientists influenced Darwin in developing his ideas?

The idea of struggle for survival by Thomas Malthus, and Sir Charles Lyell's idea that the present it the key to the past.

9.14 What is the main difference between Darwin's hypothesis of macroevolution and the neo-Darwinist hypothesis?

The real difference is mutations.

9.4 Hose sparrows are small, seed-eating birds that are native to parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. In the fall of 1851 and the spring of 1852, one hundred of these birds were brought to Brooklyn, New York. Since then, they have spread throughout the United States. Even though the original 100 birds were very similar, their descendants are not. In fact, if you study the size of house sparrows in the Untied States, you will find that they are bigger in the northern parts of the United States and smaller in the southern parts of the Untied States. Is this an example of microevolution or macroevolution? Can you think of what might have caused this difference in size?

This is an example of microevolution. A larger bird is better suited for colder climates.

9.5 Some biologists believe that the whale once has a cowlike ancestor that lived on land. This ancestor was very heavy, so it started spending a great deal of time in the water. The water helped buoy it up, making it easier for the animal to walk. As time went on, the animal began adapting to the water, slowly changing its legs into fins and its skin into a substance more ideal for swimming in the water. Eventually, the cowlike creature gave rise to the whale. Is this an example of microevolution or macroevolution?

This scenario is an example of macroevolution.

9.13 Why is the comparison of amino acid sequences in common proteins such a useful tool in determining whether or not macroevolution occurred?

Tracking the amino acid sequences is like comparing corresponding strands of DNA in different creatures.

9.11 What major scientific breakthrough led to structural homology changing from evidence for macroevolution to evidence against it?

When scientists learned about genetics and how to map out nucleotide sequences.

9.12 A molecular biologist details the amino acid sequence in a common protein for the following creatures: a human, a rat, an amoeba, a fish, and a frog. Assuming macroevolution did occur, list these creatures in terms of increasing similarity between their protein and the human protein.

Amoeba, fish, frog, rat.

9.2 The cheetah is the fastest land-dwelling animal on the planet. It has bee observed to reach peak speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour! It uses this speed to catch animals that are often too fast to be killed by most predators. Use Darwin's reasoning to explain how natural selection could produce such a creature from a slower animal.

Darwin would say that in the beginning, only slow predators existed. As food got scarce, however, any predator born that was slightly faster than the other would be able to get to more food; thus, this predator would be naturally selected to survive and would pass on its speed to its offspring. As generation after generation passed, each time a predator was born that was slightly faster than its peers, it would naturally selected to survive. Thus, the extra speed would "pile up" generation after generation until, eventually, a cheetah was formed.

9.10 Why do macroevolutionists consider Ausrtralopithecus afarensis an intermediate like between man and ape? Why do creation scientists think it is not?

Evolutionists think that since it is possible that this creature stood upright, it represents a link between man and ape. Creation scientists disagree because every bone in its body is characteristic of an ape, and wrist and inner ear studies indicate that it did not walk upright.

9.3 Why is Darwin's hypothesis sometimes called "the survival of fittest"?

If the organism has an advantage, we could say that it is more "fit" for survival than those without that advantage. Thus, the "fittest" organism will tend to survive.

9.9 What features on Archaeopteryx make macroevolutionists think that it is an intermediate line? What features make creation scientists think that it is not?

It has teeth and claws, which are not common in birds. These features lead macroevolutionists to conclude that it is part reptile. However, it has feathers that are designed for flight, the lung design of a bird, and the vision and balance of a bird. This make creation scientists thing it is just a bird.

9.7 Why is the geological column not conclusive evidence for or against marcroevolution?

It is not conclusive because whether the geological column supports or contradicts macroevolution depends on assumptions that cannot be confirmed.

9.6 What is the big assumption that must be made in order it interpret the geological column as evidence for macroevolution?

You must assume that each strata of rock was laid down individually over long periods of time, according to the speculations of Lyell.

9.8 If macroevolution really occurred, would you expect to fine more fossils of individual species or of intermediate likes?

You would expect more intermediate links than individual species.