Concept explainers
Evolution is
- a. a belief.
- b. a scientific theory.
- c. a hypothesis.
- d. never observed In the modern world.
Introduction:
Evolution is defined as the change in heritable characteristics in a biological population over a successive generation. Evolution is a result of mutation, natural selection, genetic drift and sexual selection.
Answer to Problem 1MC
Correct answer:
Evolution is based on scientific theory. Therefore, option (b). is correct.
Option (b). is given as “a scientific theory”.
Explanation of Solution
Justify reasons for the correct statement:
Evolution involves genetic changes in a population with time. Evolution is a result of natural selection that causes variation among individual in a population. Evolution is a scientific theory which was formulated by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
The scientific theory of evolution was supported by a study of fossils, geological studies, radioactive dating of rocks, the study of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and certain breeding experiments. It involves a vast diversity of life as well as similarities among different types of organisms.
Hence, option (b). is correct.
Justify reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option (a). is given as “a belief”.
Evolution is based on scientific studies by several scientists. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Option (c). is given as “a hypothesis”.
Evolution is based on scientific theories which state that living organisms are evolved from preexisting organisms and distinguishable differences occur due to modification in a successive generation. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d). is given as “never observed in the modern world”. Evolution is a result of mutation, sexual selection, genetic drift and natural selection that are observed in the modern world. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect.
Evolution was supported by scientific theories which involve the genetic, biochemical, study of fossils.
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Chapter 1 Solutions
Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology (11th Edition)
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