Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

1. Introduction to Biology

Natural Selection and Evolution

General Biology

1. Introduction to Biology

Natural Selection and Evolution

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's ideas about evolution, and why are they considered incorrect today?

Lamarck believed that mutations in DNA are the primary source of evolutionary change; this is incorrect because he did not understand genetics.

Lamarck proposed that organisms could acquire traits during their lifetime and pass them on to their offspring; this is incorrect because acquired traits do not alter genetic material and cannot be inherited.

Lamarck argued that all species were created independently and do not change over time; this is incorrect because he actually believed in species change.

Lamarck suggested that evolution occurs through natural selection acting on heritable variation; this is incorrect because he did not recognize the role of natural selection.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the historical context of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's ideas. Lamarck was an early evolutionary thinker who proposed a mechanism for how species change over time, predating Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Step 2: Examine Lamarck's central idea, known as the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. He suggested that organisms could acquire traits during their lifetime through use or disuse of certain features and pass these traits to their offspring. For example, he believed that giraffes stretched their necks to reach higher leaves, and this acquired longer neck trait was inherited by their descendants.

Step 3: Identify why Lamarck's theory is considered incorrect today. Modern genetics has shown that acquired traits, such as muscle growth from exercise or neck stretching, do not alter the DNA in germ cells (sperm and egg). Only genetic changes in germ cells can be passed to offspring.

Step 4: Compare Lamarck's ideas to the modern understanding of evolution. Today, we know that evolution occurs through mechanisms like natural selection acting on heritable genetic variation, mutations, and genetic recombination, which Lamarck did not account for.

Step 5: Clarify misconceptions about Lamarck's beliefs. He did not argue that species were created independently or that evolution occurs through natural selection. Instead, his focus was on the inheritance of acquired traits, which is why his ideas are considered outdated in light of modern evolutionary biology.