BIO 2 Exam 1 Flashcards

Process of Science

• Follows a sequence: observation, question, experiment, hypothesis, conclusion.

Reasoning in Science

• Deductive reasoning example: B) Bill is a Dalmatian; all Dalmatians have spots; therefore, Bill has spots.
• Inductive reasoning involves deriving a general principle from specific observations, exemplified by: A) Hundreds of individuals of a species observed to be photosynthetic indicates that the species is photosynthetic.
• Deductive reasoning is used to generate and test predictions from broader ideas.

Hypotheses and Theories

• It is normal for hypotheses to be incorrect in scientific research.
• A theory is not an untested guess; it is a well-substantiated explanation.

Dispute Resolution

• The magnitude of evidence supporting each idea is crucial for resolving scientific disputes.

Key Concepts of Evolution

• Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.
• Adaptation is the process through which a population becomes better suited to its environment.
• Selective pressure refers to factors that non-randomly eliminate certain phenotypes in a population.

Types of Natural Selection

• Stabilizing selection eliminates outliers, favoring the average traits.
• Directional selection favors one type of outlier, shifting the population in one direction.
• Disruptive selection favors outliers at both extremes, potentially leading to population division.

Speciation

• Allopatric speciation involves geographical changes leading to isolation, creating unique species (e.g., species on Madagascar).
• Sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographical area, arising from one ancestor.

Reproductive Barriers

• Prezygotic barriers prevent mating or fertilization, such as nocturnal vs. diurnal birds.
• Postzygotic barriers impede hybrid viability or fertility (e.g., mules).

Evolutionary Concepts

• Adaptive radiation is the evolution of various types from a common ancestor, adapted to specific modes of life.
• Gradualism suggests evolution occurs over long periods, while punctuated equilibrium posits that evolution occurs in rapid bursts.

Phenotype and Structures

• An organism's phenotype consists of its inherited traits.
• Homologous structures share a common ancestry despite different functions, while analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common origin.
• Vestigial structures are remnants of features that were once functional, like goosebumps or the appendix.

Significance of Evolution

• Evolution explains life's diversity, unity, and patterns.
• The discovery of Tiktaalik helps to understand the transition to four-legged terrestrial creatures.