Question 1

Explain antibiotic resistance observed in bacteria in light of Darwinian selection theory.

Accepted Answer

According to Darwin's natural selection theory, Only those organisms that can The organisms that can adapt to the changing environment will survive and those organisms that cannot embrace the change in their environment will be eliminated. So, organisms tend to acquire new characteristics in order to survive and continue their population. When people started using penicillin most bacteria were susceptible to penicillin and were easily killed in the presence of penicillin. However, with time the bacteria developed methods to fight the antibiotic and survive in the presence of penicillin. MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is one good example of how well the bacteria develop drug resistance over time.

Question 2

Find out from newspapers and popular science articles any new fossil discoveries or controversies about evolution.

Accepted Answer

Paleontology is the field of science the helps us to understand about evolution by the use of fossils.Fossils of dinosaurs were found that have revealed the evolution of reptiles in Jurassic period. Two unusual fossils recently found in China which brings the controversy over the evolution of birds. Confuciusornis lived during the Cretaceous period in China is the genus of the primitive bird.

Question 3

Attempt giving a clear definition of the term species.

Accepted Answer

A group of organisms which have the ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring are called as species. The member of species does not breed with members of other species.

Question 4

Try to trace the various components of human evolution. (hint: brain size and function, skeletal structure, dietary preference, etc.)

Accepted Answer

Name  Brain capacity skeletal structure Dietary preference   Dryopethicus africans -- Posture similar to chimpanzees and gorillas, They walked on their knuckles.Herbivore   Ramaphithecus --Semi-erectHerbivore Australopethicus africans450 cm3Fully-erectHerbivore    Homo habilus735 cm3 Fully-erectCarnivore  Homo erectus800-1100 cm3 Fully-erectOmnivore  Homo meanderthalnsis1300-1600 cm3Fully-erectOmnivore Homo sapiens fossilis1650 cm3Fully-erectOmnivore Homo sapiens sapiens1200-1600 cm3Fully-erectOmnivore

Question 5

Find out through internet and popular science articles whether animals other than man has self-consciousness.

Accepted Answer

Self consciousness is defined as the awareness of oneself. Other than man there are some animals which are self-conscious. These include dolphins, elephants, chimpanzees, apes and monkeys. Self-consciousness in animals can be studied using the mirror test. When chimpanzees were exposed to the mirror for the first time they were threatened. However on repeated exposure they started looking into the mirror and grooming, picking their nose, making faces, etc.

Question 6

List 10 modern-day animals and using the internet resources link it to a corresponding ancient fossil. Name both.

Accepted Answer

The 10 modern day animals and their corresponding ancient fossils are:1. Human - Ramapithecus2. Elephant - Moerithers3. Gorilla - Dryopithecus4. Horse - Eohippus5. Bat - Archaeonycteris6. Fish - Arandaspis7. Octopus - Belemnite8. Dog - Leptocyon9. Giraffe - Palaeotragus10. Whale - Protocetus

Question 7

Describe one example of adaptive radiation.

Accepted Answer

Diversification of ancestral line into different forms which in turn occupy diverse ecological niche is referred to as adaptive radiation. For example, the ancestral seed-eating stock of Darwin's finches diversified based on different types of food that were (plants, seeds, insects, cactus etc) available The of beak adapted to that food and got modified accordingly. The geographical isolation led reproductive isolation and thus, the evolution of new species of finches from the parental stock.

Question 8

Can we call human evolution as adaptive radiation?

Accepted Answer

Diversification of ancestral line into different
forms which in turn occupy diverse ecological niche is referred to as adaptive
radiation. It is a quick process. Human evolution is a slow gradual process making it different from adaptative radiation. Therefore, human evolution can not be called as adaptive radiation.

Question 9

Using various resources such as your school library or the internet and discussions with your teacher, trace the evolutionary stages of horse.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary stages of horse:Eohippus - Mesohippus - Merychippus - Pliohippus - Equus.Evolutionary trend:(i) Increase in body size.(ii) Elongation of neck.(iii) Lengthening of limbs.(iv) Enlargement of third digit.(v) Increase in structural complexity of teeth for feeding on grass.

Chapter 7 : Evolution