Biology Concept Map: Evolution and Speciation

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Evolution?

Formation of new species.

How well an organism can survive and reproduce in an environment.

Selective breeding of plants and animals.

Change over time; the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms. (correct)

What is Speciation?

Formation of new species.

What is Artificial Selection?

Selective breeding of plants and animals to promote the occurrence of desirable traits in offspring.

Define Natural Selection.

Process by which organisms that are most suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by Adaptation in biology?

Heritable characteristics that increase an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Fitness in evolutionary terms.

How well an organism can survive and reproduce in an environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are Homologous Structures?

Structures that are similar in different species of common ancestry. Signup and view all the answers

Define Analogous Structure.

Body parts that share a common function, but not structure. Signup and view all the answers

Explain Sexual Selection.

When individuals select mates based on heritable traits. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a Species?

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What is Reproductive Isolation?

Separation of a species or population so that they no longer interbreed and evolve into two separate species. Signup and view all the answers

Define Behavioral Isolation.

Form of reproductive isolation in which two populations develop differences in courtship rituals or other behaviors that prevent them from breeding. Signup and view all the answers

What is Geographic Isolation?

Form of reproductive isolation in which two populations are separated by geographic barriers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Vestigial Structure?

Structure that is inherited from ancestors but has lost much or all of its original function. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Charles Darwin?

He began a journey on the HMS Beagle in 1831 and is known as the 'father' of evolution. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolutionary Concepts

Evolution is the process through which modern organisms evolve from ancient ancestors over time.
Speciation refers to the formation of new species through evolutionary processes.
Artificial selection involves selective breeding of organisms to encourage desirable traits in their offspring.
Natural selection, or survival of the fittest, is a mechanism where organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Adaptation encompasses heritable characteristics that enhance an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in its environment.

Organism Fitness

Fitness measures how well an organism can survive and reproduce in a specific environment.
Homologous structures are anatomical features that share a similar form in different species due to common ancestry.
Analogous structures serve similar functions across different species but do not share common origins, indicating convergent evolution.

Selection in Reproduction

Sexual selection occurs when individuals favor mates based on heritable traits, affecting reproduction patterns.
A species is defined as a group of similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Mechanisms of Isolation

Reproductive isolation occurs when populations are separated and can no longer interbreed, leading to the evolution of distinct species.
Behavioral isolation happens when differences in mating rituals or behaviors prevent two populations from breeding.
Geographic isolation is caused by physical barriers (like rivers or mountains) that separate populations, resulting in the formation of subspecies.

Remnant Structures

Vestigial structures are inherited from ancestors but have lost much or all of their original function, indicating evolutionary change.

Historical Figure

Charles Darwin, known as the "father of evolution," began his significant journey on the HMS Beagle in 1831, contributing foundational ideas to evolutionary theory.

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Description

Explore key biological concepts such as evolution, speciation, and the processes of natural and artificial selection through flashcards. This quiz helps in understanding the mechanisms of change in species over time, as well as the impact of human intervention in breeding.