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Evolution Chapter 3 Discussion Questions
| DQ 3.1 |
Summarize the various kinds of evidence for evolution (i.e., that all living organisms descended from a common ancestor). Give examples for each, beyond those used in this chapter. HINT 3A
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| DQ 3.2 |
What observations could refute the hypothesis that an adaptation evolved by natural selection?
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| DQ 3.3 |
In what ways is natural selection an imperfect mechanism for adaptation?
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| DQ 3.4 |
Explain how natural selection generates “an exceedingly high degree of improbability” (p. 78).
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| DQ 3.5 |
Behe (2007) argues that adaptations that require several mutations cannot occur by natural selection acting on random mutations, because the chance that a particular combination of mutations will occur is vanishingly small. (For example, two mutations are required in the PCRT protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium to give it resistance to chloroquine.) Critique this argument. HINT 3B
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References
Behe M.J. 2007. The edge of evolution: The search for the limits of Darwinism. Free Press, New York.
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