- 1. In 'A Critique of the Theory of Evolution,' Thomas Hunt Morgan, a prominent geneticist and Nobel laureate, presents a comprehensive examination of the evolutionary theories that have long dominated biological discourse. He challenges the notion that natural selection alone is sufficient to explain the complexities of biological diversity. Morgan argues that while natural selection plays a critical role in evolution, it fails to account for the role of genetic mutation and variation, which are essential mechanisms for evolutionary change. He emphasizes the importance of Mendelian genetics in understanding heredity and evolution, positing that variations in traits arise from genetic factors that can be passed down through generations. Morgan critiques the portrayal of evolution as a linear and progressive process, suggesting instead that it is far more intricate, characterized by a web of interactions among organisms and their environments. He points out that the unpredictability of genetic mutations introduces a level of complexity that cannot be neatly categorized by traditional evolutionary frameworks. His insights paved the way for the synthesis of genetics and evolution, ultimately contributing to what is now known as the Modern Synthesis. Through his critique, Morgan not only solidifies the importance of genetics in evolutionary theory but also encourages a more nuanced understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive evolution.
Thomas Hunt Morgan initially criticized Darwin's theory of evolution primarily due to a lack of evidence for:
A) The fossil record
B) Natural selection itself
C) The mechanism of heredity
D) Geological time scales
- 2. Morgan's famous experimental organism was the:
A) E. coli bacterium
B) Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
C) Roundworm
D) Pea plant
- 3. Morgan's discovery of a white-eyed male fly demonstrated the role of:
A) Acquired characteristics
B) Chromosomes and sex-linked inheritance
C) Blending inheritance
D) Environmental adaptation
- 4. Morgan's work ultimately provided support for evolution by explaining:
A) The source of genetic variation
B) The origin of life
C) The inheritance of acquired traits
D) Punctuated equilibrium
- 5. What key finding caused Morgan to abandon his skepticism and accept Mendel's principles?
A) Biochemical analysis of proteins
B) The discovery of sex-linked mutations
C) The theory of continental drift
D) The fossil of Archaeopteryx
- 6. Morgan's work helped reconcile the differences between:
A) Physics and biology
B) Creationism and science
C) Biogeography and paleontology
D) Mendelian genetics and Darwinian evolution
- 7. Morgan's experimental approach was characterized by:
A) Biochemical analysis
B) Field observations of natural populations
C) Quantitative data and controlled breeding
D) Philosophical reasoning alone
- 8. Which book is Morgan most famous for, summarizing his genetic research?
A) Philosophie Zoologique
B) The Mechanism of Mendelian Heredity
C) On the Origin of Species
D) The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection
- 9. For which major scientific achievement did Thomas Hunt Morgan win the Nobel Prize?
A) His discoveries concerning the role played by the chromosome in heredity
B) The discovery of the structure of DNA
C) The development of the microscope
D) The theory of natural selection
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