Plants & Human Affairs (BIOL106)  -  Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe

Panda's & Orchids

Directions:  Read Stephen J. Gould's essay "The panda's peculiar thumb" (Natural History; November, Vol. 87; 1978).  Bring to class, typed, answers to the following questions (a sentence or two for each is fine):

1. What is the function of the panda's 'thumb'?

2. Why is it unexpected that the pandas have a thumb?  What is the origin of the thumb? 

3. Why do pandas have an enlarged foot bone?

4. What does Darwin means by a "contrivance" or an "imperfection"?  Give an example.

5. Gould believes that an "ideal design is a lousy argument for evolution."  What does he mean by "ideal design" and why are "imperfections" or "contrivances" support for evolution?

6. Why is self-fertilization a poor strategy for a plant?

7. What is the difference between self and cross pollination?

8.  How do plants prevent self-pollination and insure cross pollination

9. What is an adaptation?  Give an example.

 References:

• Evolution and Nature of Science Institute 

Last updated:  10/22/2008 � Copyright  by SG Saupe