Theories of Evolution

Who are the palaeontologists associated with the theory of punctuated equilibrium?

• Gregor Mendel and Thomas Hunt Morgan.
• Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
• Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould.
• James Watson and Francis Crick.

How do species change over extended periods of time in evolution by gradualism?

• Through small, incremental modifications in their traits and characteristics.
• Through sudden, dramatic transformations.
• Through genetic shifts in isolated populations.
• Through rapid bursts of evolutionary change.

What is the concept of evolution by gradualism in evolutionary biology?

• Species evolve through small, incremental modifications in their traits
• Evolution is a sudden appearance of new species
• Species evolve through major shifts in their genetic makeup
• Evolution occurs in rapid bursts when environmental conditions change

What is the theory of punctuated equilibrium?

• A sudden appearance of new species
• A major shift in genetic makeup
• A rapid burst of evolution
• A mechanism through which advantageous traits are passed on to offspring

What is the theory of punctuated equilibrium an alternative to?

• The theory of evolution by gradualism.
• The theory of sudden, dramatic transformations in species.
• The theory of genetic shifts in isolated populations.
• The theory of small, incremental modifications over time.

What is the key idea of evolution by gradualism?

• Species evolve through genetic shifts in isolated populations.
• Species evolve through small, incremental modifications in their genetic makeup and physical attributes.
• Species evolve through rapid bursts of evolutionary change.
• Species evolve through sudden, dramatic transformations.

What is punctuated equilibrium?

• A pattern of evolutionary change characterised by genetic shifts in isolated populations.

• A pattern of evolutionary change characterised by long periods of relative species stability.

• A pattern of evolutionary change characterised by rapid bursts of evolutionary change.

• A pattern of evolutionary change characterised by small, incremental modifications over time.

What is the pattern of punctuated equilibrium?

• Long periods of gradual changes within populations
• Long periods of rapid and significant evolutionary transformation interrupted by relative species stability
• Long periods of relative species stability interrupted by rapid and significant evolutionary transformation
• Long periods of stasis followed by sudden appearances of new species

What is evolution by gradualism?

• The process by which species change through rapid bursts of evolutionary change.
• The process by which species change through sudden, dramatic transformations.
• The process by which species change through small, incremental modifications over time.
• The process by which species change through genetic shifts in isolated populations.

How does punctuated equilibrium differ from evolution by gradualism?

• It involves sudden, dramatic transformations.
• It involves small, incremental modifications over time.
• It involves genetic shifts in isolated populations.
• It involves rapid bursts of evolutionary change.