Chapter 22

2) Catastrophism was Cuvier's attempt to explain the existence of _____. A) evolution B) the fossil record C) uniformitarianism D) the origin of new species

B

4) Prior to the work of Lyell and Darwin, the prevailing belief was that Earth is _____. A) a few thousand years old, and populations are unchanging B) a few thousand years old, and populations gradually change C) millions of years old, and populations rapidly change D) millions of years old, and populations are unchanging

A

5) During a study session about evolution, one of your fellow students remarks, "The giraffe stretched its neck while reaching for higher leaves; its offspring inherited longer necks as a result." Which statement is most likely to be helpful in correcting this student's misconception? A) Characteristics acquired during an organism's life are generally not passed on through genes. B) Spontaneous mutations can result in the appearance of new traits. C) Only favorable adaptations have survival value. D) Disuse of an organ may lead to its eventual disappearance.

A

1) Darwin and Wallace's theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it _____. A) was the first theory to refute the ideas of special creation B) proved that individuals acclimated to their environment over time C) dismissed the idea that species are constant and emphasized the importance of variation and change in populations D) was the first time a biologist had proposed that species changed through time

C

3) With what other idea of his time was Cuvier's theory of catastrophism most in conflict? A) the scala naturae B) the fixity of species C) island biogeography D) uniformitarianism

D