Evolution as a Process That Has Always Gone on in the History

question 145

Multiple Choice

Evolution as a process that has always gone on in the history of the earth can be doubted only by those who are ignorant of the evidence or are resistant to evidence, owing to emotional blocks or to plain bigotry. By contrast, the mechanisms that bring evolution about certainly need study and clarification. There are no alternatives to evolution as history that can withstand critical examination. Yet we are constantly learning new and important facts about evolutionary mechanisms. Theodosius Dobzhansky, "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense
Except in the Light of Evolution"

• A) Nonargument.
• B) Argument; conclusion: By contrast, the mechanisms ... study and clarification.
• C) Argument; conclusion: Yet we are constantly ... evolutionary mechanisms.
• D) Argument; conclusion: Evolution as a process ... blocks or to plain bigotry.
• E) Argument; conclusion: There are no alternatives ... critical examination.

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Definitions:

Random Variable

A variable whose possible values are numerical outcomes of a random phenomenon.

Poisson Distribution

A discrete frequency distribution which gives the probability of a number of independent events occurring in a fixed time.

Mean

The arithmetic average of a set of numbers, found by dividing the sum of all numbers by the count of numbers.

Discrete Probability Distribution

A statistical function that describes the likelihood of each possible outcome of a discrete random variable occurring.