Revision Questions - Evolution and Extinction

1. What, exactly, is a fossil?

2. What do fossils tell us?

3. When did life start on Earth?

4. How were life forms different then to those alive now?

5. Why does it usually take millions of years for new species to develop?

6. Apart from fossils, what other evidence is there for evolution?

7. If we chop the tails off rats will their offspring have shorter tails? Explain.

8. What is Lamarckism?

9. Why did it take a long time for Darwin's theory to be accepted?

10. Name 3 species which are extinct

11. Name 3 species which are endangered

12. Why are British red squirrels in danger of extinction?

13. Why are the orang-utans of Borneo close to extinction?

14. What caused the extinction of the Costa Rican golden toad?

A cheetah has a litter of 6 cubs.

15. Why are they all different?

16. Describe 2 differences that might be an advantage for survival

17. If an individual is more likely to survive then what else is it more likely to do?

18. What is a mutation?

19. Why are most mutations useless?

20. Describe a mutation in humans that might be beneficial