Problem:
Question 1: Lamarck's theory of evolution, like others before, was a transformational theory, whereas Darwin's was a variational one. Why was this change in thinking so important?
a. It proved that Larmarckian inheritance of acquired traits was not accurate.
b. It made clear that the process of sorting preexisting variation was the mechanism for evolutionary change, rather than making changes in each member of the population.
c. It demonstrated the power of evolution by natural selection by showing that any variation in a population can lead to increases in fit to the environment, whereas Larmarck's theory had no mechanism for adaptation.
d. It provided a mechanism for evolution that did not rely on supernatural explanations.
e. None of the above.
Question 2: The modern synthesis brought together Darwin's theory of evolution with Mendelian genetics. Why was this so important?
a. It demonstrated that nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution
b. It demonstrated that species arise from other species.
c. It provided a quantifiable mechanism to explain gradual evolutionary change.
d. It was the first time that change in biological organisms was observed.
Question 3: In a population of beagles the dogs with the best sense of smell are selected to be the parents of the next generations.
Will this result in evolution?
a. Yes, artificial selection results in evolutionary change.
b. No, artificial selection leads to transformational change.
c. We do not have enough information to decide. We need to know if sense of smell is heritable.
d. We do not have enough information to decide. We need to know the traits of the previous generation.
Please explain the correct answer choice for the points.