A Critique of the Theory of Evolution by Thomas Hunt Morgan
- 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 mechanism of heredity
B) Natural selection itself
C) Geological time scales
D) The fossil record
- 2. Morgan's famous experimental organism was the:
A) E. coli bacterium
B) Roundworm
C) Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
D) Pea plant
- 3. Morgan's discovery of a white-eyed male fly demonstrated the role of:
A) Environmental adaptation
B) Chromosomes and sex-linked inheritance
C) Acquired characteristics
D) Blending inheritance
- 4. Morgan's work ultimately provided support for evolution by explaining:
A) Punctuated equilibrium
B) The inheritance of acquired traits
C) The source of genetic variation
D) The origin of life
- 5. What key finding caused Morgan to abandon his skepticism and accept Mendel's principles?
A) The theory of continental drift
B) Biochemical analysis of proteins
C) The fossil of Archaeopteryx
D) The discovery of sex-linked mutations
- 6. Morgan's work helped reconcile the differences between:
A) Biogeography and paleontology
B) Creationism and science
C) Mendelian genetics and Darwinian evolution
D) Physics and biology
- 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) The Mechanism of Mendelian Heredity
B) The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection
C) On the Origin of Species
D) Philosophie Zoologique
- 9. For which major scientific achievement did Thomas Hunt Morgan win the Nobel Prize?
A) The discovery of the structure of DNA
B) The theory of natural selection
C) His discoveries concerning the role played by the chromosome in heredity
D) The development of the microscope
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