According to data presented in this chapter, which of the following are correct? Select True or False for each statement. T/F When individuals change in response to challenges from the environment, their altered traits are passed on to offspring. T/F Species are created independently of each other and do not change over time. T/F Populations—not individuals—change when natural selection occurs. T/F The traits of populations become more perfect over time.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: The first statement is False. This is a common misconception known as Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. However, modern genetics has shown that only changes or mutations that occur in germ cells (the cells involved in reproduction) can be passed on to offspring.
2. Step 2: The second statement is also False. This statement contradicts the theory of evolution, which posits that species are not created independently but rather evolve from common ancestors over time. Furthermore, species do change over time due to processes such as natural selection and genetic drift.
3. Step 3: The third statement is True. Natural selection acts on populations, not individuals. While individuals may possess certain traits that make them more or less fit, it is the frequency of these traits within a population that changes over time due to natural selection.
4. Step 4: The fourth statement is False. The traits of populations do not necessarily become more 'perfect' over time. Instead, traits that increase an organism's fitness in its environment become more common. This does not mean that these traits are 'perfect', but rather that they are more suited to the organism's current environment.
5. Step 5: In conclusion, the correct answers are: False, False, True, False.

Key Concepts

Lamarckian Inheritance

Lamarckian inheritance is the idea that organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. This concept is often contrasted with Darwinian evolution, which emphasizes natural selection and genetic inheritance. In the context of the question, the statement about altered traits being passed on reflects a misunderstanding of modern evolutionary biology.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process leads to changes in populations over time, rather than individuals. The statement regarding populations changing under natural selection highlights the importance of population-level changes in evolutionary theory.

Evolutionary Change

Evolutionary change refers to the gradual development of species over time through processes such as mutation, selection, and genetic drift. The idea that species are created independently and do not change contradicts the concept of common descent, which posits that all species share a common ancestor and evolve over time, leading to the diversity of life we see today.