Question

1. List the major contributors to modern biology concepts and in your own words, briefly describe their work.

2. Explain and briefly describe the geological time scale. How does it relate to the science of biology?

3. List and briefly describe in your own words the four main points of Darwin's theory?

4. Does the theory of natural selection conflict with environmental issues? Why or why not? Explain.

5. What is the importance of the use of Latin in science? How else do we use Latin today?

Answer 1

1. **Charles Darwin:** Developed the theory of natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time through the process of adaptation.

**Gregor Mendel:** Known as the father of genetics, Mendel discovered the basic principles of heredity through his work with pea plants.

**Louis Pasteur:** Established the germ theory of disease, showing that microorganisms are responsible for infections and diseases.

**James Watson and Francis Crick:** Known for proposing the structure of DNA as a double helix, which revolutionized the understanding of genetics.

2. The geological time scale is a system that divides Earth's history into distinct periods based on changes in the rock and fossil record. It's divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. This time scale helps biologists understand the timing and sequence of events in Earth's history, which is critical for studying the evolution and diversification of life forms over time.

3. Darwin's theory of evolution includes four main points:
- **Variation:** Individuals within a population exhibit variations in traits.
- **Heritability:** Some traits are inherited by offspring from their parents.
- **Struggle for Existence:** Populations produce more offspring than can survive, leading to competition for resources.
- **Natural Selection:** Individuals with advantageous traits for survival and reproduction are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation.

4. The theory of natural selection doesn't inherently conflict with environmental issues. Instead, it provides a framework to understand how species adapt to changing environments over time. However, issues arise when human activities lead to rapid environmental changes that outpace the ability of species to adapt, potentially resulting in extinction. This highlights the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable practices to ensure the survival of diverse species.

5. The use of Latin in science is important because it provides a universal and standardized language that transcends linguistic barriers. Latin is used in scientific nomenclature to name species, ensuring clarity and precision in communication. Latin is also used in law, medicine, and literature, and it continues to be studied in some educational institutions as part of classical education. Additionally, many modern languages, especially those from the Romance language family, have Latin roots, which enriches vocabulary and promotes cross-linguistic understanding.

Answer 2

1. Charles Darwin: He proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, which explains how species change over time through the process of natural selection.

Gregor Mendel: He is known as the father of genetics, and his experiments with pea plants led to the discovery of the principles of inheritance.

Louis Pasteur: He is famous for his work on germ theory and pasteurization, which led to the development of modern microbiology.

James Watson and Francis Crick: They are credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA, which led to the modern field of molecular biology.

Barbara McClintock: She discovered the phenomenon of genetic transposition, which provided insight into the mechanisms of genetic regulation and helped pave the way for the field of epigenetics.

2. The geological time scale is a system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time periods. It is divided into units of time based on significant geological events such as the appearance or disappearance of particular species or major geological events like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and impact craters. The time scale is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages.

3. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is based on four main points:

Variation: Individuals within a population vary in their traits.

Inheritance: Some of these variations are heritable, meaning they can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Selection: Organisms with certain traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without those traits. This is known as natural selection.

Time: Over time, natural selection can lead to the accumulation of beneficial traits in a population, resulting in the evolution of new species.

4. The theory of natural selection does not necessarily conflict with environmental issues. In fact, it can help us understand how species adapt to changing environmental conditions. For example, if a population of organisms is exposed to a new environmental stressor, such as a drought or a new predator, natural selection may favor individuals with traits that allow them to better survive and reproduce in that environment. Over time, this can lead to the evolution of new species or the adaptation of existing species to their changing environment.

5. Latin is an important language in science because it is the language of taxonomy, the system of naming and classifying living organisms. Latin is a dead language, meaning it is no longer spoken in its original form, but it is still used as the universal language of science. By using Latin names for species, scientists can communicate about organisms with a common language that is understood around the world.