Punctuated Equilibrium

Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are both supported by evidence from the ____________________ record

• evolutionary

• fossil

• binomial nomenclature

• Darwin

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Bursts of change followed by periods of stability.

• Punctuated equilibrium

• Gradualism

• Extinction

• Speciation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The hypothesis that evolution of a species occurs in periods of rapid change separated by periods of little or no change is called

• divergence

• gradualism

• punctuated equilibrium

• isolation

If you have a dramatic change resulting in a new species in between long stretches of time with no change this would be

• Gradualism

• Swift speciation

• Punctuated Equilibrium

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Punctuated Equilibrium implies catastrophic events caused natural selection to speed up due to great environmental changes.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Punctuated equilibrium...

• Involves bursts of change & periods of stability

• Takes place slowly over long periods of time

• Involves organisms evolving together

• Involves organisms splitting from a common ancestor

Which of the following best describes the concept of punctuated equilibrium in evolutionary biology?

• A theory that evolution occurs in small, gradual steps over time

• A theory that species remain stable for long periods and undergo rapid changes in short bursts

• A theory that all species evolve at a constant rate

• A theory that evolution is driven solely by environmental changes

What evidence supports the theory of punctuated equilibrium?

• Continuous fossil records showing gradual change

• Fossil records showing sudden appearance of new species

• Genetic mutations occurring at a constant rate

• Observations of species adapting slowly over time

In the context of punctuated equilibrium, what is meant by 'stasis'?

• Rapid evolutionary change

• A period of little or no evolutionary change

• The extinction of a species

• The formation of a new species

How does punctuated equilibrium differ from gradualism?

• Punctuated equilibrium involves slow, steady change; gradualism involves rapid bursts

• Punctuated equilibrium involves rapid bursts of change; gradualism involves slow, steady change

• Both involve rapid bursts of change

• Both involve slow, steady change