Biology
Biology
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134813448
Author: Audesirk, Teresa, Gerald, Byers, Bruce E.
Publisher: Pearson,
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Chapter 15.4, Problem 2TC

Some advocates of the view that all organisms were created simultaneously by God argue that vestigial structures do not constitute evidence of evolution, because they show only that a divinely created structure can degenerate over time. According to this view, human tailbones are not evidence of evolution because they do not show that an adaptive improvement has occurred. Is this a valid argument?

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While the French biologist LaMarck was correct in proposing that evolution does occur, he believed that the long necks of giraffes evolved as generations of giraffes reached for ever higher leaves on the trees. Using these observations, LaMarck proposed the theory that evolution occurs due to the inheritance of characteristics acquired during an organism’s lifetime. From what you know about the scientific method, why is this incorrect?
In many ways, modern human lifestyles are at odds with our bipedal locomotion. At no point in history have humans been as inactive as today (especially in developing nations), which has led to a number of physical ailments, such as obesity, loss of mobility, and low back pain. What are some other impacts of evolution on our species? What are some ways we can alleviate these problems? You should include any recommended study tips, review videos, or other materials.
You have seen many examples of how form fits function at all levels of the biological hierarchy. However, we can imagine forms that would function better than some forms actually found in nature. For example, if the wings of a bird were not formed from its forelimbs, such a hypothetical bird could fly yet also hold objects with its forelimbs. Describe the concept of “evolution as tinkering” to explain why there are limits to the functionality of forms in nature.

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