Sir Charles Lyell, the father of geology, influenced Darwin with his principle of catastrophism, the view that extinct species were destroyed by fires, floods, and other catastrophes. His geological research was also critical in Darwin's own formulations because it
A. set the foundations for molecular dating techniques.
B. confirmed that the world was only 6,000 years old.
C. influenced the work of Darwin's own grandfather, who would eventually set young Darwin on the path of scientific research.
D. confirmed Linnaeus's comprehensive and still influential taxonomic system, which was key to formulating a mechanism that drives evolution.
E. cast serious doubt on the belief that the world was only 6,000 years old, allowing for a much broader time span for the gradual biological changes to take place as seen in the fossil record.
Question 2
Which of the following does NOT seek to explain the origin of species by referring to an outside agent?
A. evolution
B. catastrophism
C. creationism
D. extraterrestrial seeding
E. intelligent design
Three principle forms of natural selection: (a) stabilizing selection, (b) directional selection, an
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