Biology Derived Characteristics Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a derived characteristic?

A trait that arose in the most recent common ancestor and passed on the lineage.

What is an example of a derived characteristic?

Having four limbs is a derived characteristic for tetrapods, but not for mammals.

What does a cladogram of chordates present?

Current hypotheses about evolutionary relationships among chordate groups.

Define adaptation.

Characteristic that helps in survival. Signup and view all the answers

Organisms differ from place to place because...

Their habitats present different challenges. Signup and view all the answers

Define natural selection.

Individuals that have physical or behavioral traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without traits. Signup and view all the answers

How do certain forms of a trait become more common in a population?

More individuals carry the form, which causes the frequency of genes to increase/decrease over time. Signup and view all the answers

Inherited characteristics in a population change due to...

Environmental pressures. Signup and view all the answers

Define evolution.

Gradual change in a population over time. Signup and view all the answers

Over enough time, or in isolation speciation may occur when enough...

Genetic differences make individuals incompatible. Signup and view all the answers

Define isolation.

Two populations of the same species cannot breed with each other due to different locations. Signup and view all the answers

Why do two populations become different over time?

Specific traits become more evident in each. Signup and view all the answers

Species can...

Successfully reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

Define speciation.

Millions of different species of organisms change over time to adapt to specific environments (or food sources within an environment). Signup and view all the answers

What did Charles Darwin recognize about the species on the Galapagos Islands?

They were similar to species on the coast of South America. Signup and view all the answers

How did Darwin define evolution?

Descent with modification. Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin theorize about the ancestors of Galapagos species?

The ancestors migrated from the coast and changed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first mechanism that allows evolution to happen?

Variation occurs within the genes of every population. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second mechanism that allows evolution to happen?

Some individuals of a population of a species are better suited to survive and reproduce (survival of the fittest). Signup and view all the answers

What is the third mechanism that allows evolution to happen?

Over time traits that help survival (and therefore reproduction) spread throughout the population. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fourth mechanism that allows evolution to happen?

Fossils are proof that living species evolved from extinct organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Derived Characteristics

Derived characteristics are traits that originated in the most recent common ancestor and are inherited by descendants.
An example includes four limbs in tetrapods, which distinguishes them from other groups like mammals.

Cladograms and Evolutionary Relationships

A cladogram of chordates illustrates current hypotheses on the evolutionary relationships among different chordate groups.

Adaptation

Adaptation refers to characteristics that enhance an organism's survival in its environment.
Organisms display differences across locations due to varying environmental challenges.

Natural Selection

Natural selection describes the process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
This results in increased frequency of favorable gene forms in a population over time.

Evolutionary Change

Evolution is defined as the gradual change in a population over time.
Environmental pressures can lead to changes in inherited characteristics within a population.

Speciation

Speciation occurs when enough genetic differences develop between populations, rendering individuals incompatible for reproduction.
Isolation refers to scenarios where two populations of the same species cannot interbreed due to geographical separation.

Population Divergence

Over time, two populations of the same species can evolve differences as specific traits become more pronounced.

Survival and Reproduction

Species are characterized by their ability to successfully reproduce within their populations.

Charles Darwin's Observations

Charles Darwin noted that species on the Galápagos Islands shared similarities with species from the South American coast.
He defined evolution as "descent with modification" and theorized that ancestral species migrated from the coast and adapted to new environments.

Mechanisms of Evolution

Variation within the genes of every population is the initial mechanism facilitating evolution.
Survival of the fittest is the second mechanism, where some individuals are more fit for survival and reproduction.
Over time, traits that enhance survival and reproduction are propagated throughout populations.
Fossils serve as evidence that modern species have evolved from extinct organisms, supporting evolutionary theory.

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Description

Test your understanding of derived characteristics in biology with this quiz. Explore concepts like examples and their significance in evolutionary relationships. Perfect for students looking to deepen their knowledge of cladistics and chordates.