Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which best describes the fossil record?
Which best describes the fossil record?
- The fossil record is a highly ordered sequence in which fossils are found in layers of sedimentary rock. (correct)
- The fossil record is random and chaotic.
- The fossil record does not provide information about extinct species.
- The fossil record only contains species that lived in water.
What is a possible weakness of the fossil record?
What is a possible weakness of the fossil record?
Many species probably did not die in the right place at the right time to be captured in fossils, and many fossils will never be found by paleontologists.
Whereas some modern whales possess a small and useless __________ pelvis, __________ linking modern whales to their four-legged evolutionary ancestors possess a larger and even functional pelvis.
Whereas some modern whales possess a small and useless __________ pelvis, __________ linking modern whales to their four-legged evolutionary ancestors possess a larger and even functional pelvis.
vestigial; transitional forms
What does an evolutionary tree diagram illustrate?
What does an evolutionary tree diagram illustrate?
The phrase Darwin used to describe his broad theory of evolution is 'descent with ____'.
The phrase Darwin used to describe his broad theory of evolution is 'descent with ____'.
All of life is related through common ancestry, accounting for the ______ of life.
All of life is related through common ancestry, accounting for the ______ of life.
The ____ of life arises from the adaptation of species to different habitats over long spans of time.
The ____ of life arises from the adaptation of species to different habitats over long spans of time.
What did Darwin propose as a mechanism for how evolution occurs?
What did Darwin propose as a mechanism for how evolution occurs?
Two key observations underlying natural selection are that members of a population vary in their _____ and that all species can produce more offspring than the environment can support.
Two key observations underlying natural selection are that members of a population vary in their _____ and that all species can produce more offspring than the environment can support.
Darwin inferred that those organisms with traits best suited to the environment tend to leave more ________ than other members of a population.
Darwin inferred that those organisms with traits best suited to the environment tend to leave more ________ than other members of a population.
This unequal reproduction in a population leads to the gradual accumulation of ________ to the environment.
This unequal reproduction in a population leads to the gradual accumulation of ________ to the environment.
What provides the selective pressure in natural selection?
What provides the selective pressure in natural selection?
Which assumptions are part of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection?
Which assumptions are part of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection?
All the genes in a population are that population's ____.
All the genes in a population are that population's ____.
Genetic drift is a process based on _____.
Genetic drift is a process based on _____.
A mutation occurs when _____.
A mutation occurs when _____.
What reduces the probability of genetic drift having an effect on the evolution of humans?
What reduces the probability of genetic drift having an effect on the evolution of humans?
The ease with which humans travel across the globe is likely to increase _____.
The ease with which humans travel across the globe is likely to increase _____.
Of the choices listed below, which contributes the most to genetic variation among individuals in most prokaryote species?
Of the choices listed below, which contributes the most to genetic variation among individuals in most prokaryote species?
Why do mutations play a large role in the microevolution of bacterial populations?
Why do mutations play a large role in the microevolution of bacterial populations?
Which condition would disturb the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and cause the gene pool to change?
Which condition would disturb the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and cause the gene pool to change?
Which of the following are causes of evolutionary change?
Which of the following are causes of evolutionary change?
Generation-to-generation change in allele frequencies in a population is _____.
Generation-to-generation change in allele frequencies in a population is _____.
Which of the following events could NOT be caused by a population bottleneck?
Which of the following events could NOT be caused by a population bottleneck?
What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution?
What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution?
What is stabilizing selection?
What is stabilizing selection?
What is disruptive selection?
What is disruptive selection?
What is directional selection?
What is directional selection?
In sexual selection, individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely to obtain mates than other individuals. This often results in ____ differences between the sexes size appearance and behavior.
In sexual selection, individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely to obtain mates than other individuals. This often results in ____ differences between the sexes size appearance and behavior.
What is intrasexual selection?
What is intrasexual selection?
In a type of sexual selection often called _______, individuals of one sex (usually females) are choosy in selecting their mates.
In a type of sexual selection often called _______, individuals of one sex (usually females) are choosy in selecting their mates.
What makes up a community?
What makes up a community?
What is the niche of an animal?
What is the niche of an animal?
A series of reciprocal evolutionary adaptations in two species is called ____.
A series of reciprocal evolutionary adaptations in two species is called ____.
Species richness and relative abundance taken together define the _____ of a community.
Species richness and relative abundance taken together define the _____ of a community.
What are keystone species?
What are keystone species?
Why are the fifth-level consumers very rare in food webs?
Why are the fifth-level consumers very rare in food webs?
_____ are secondary consumers.
_____ are secondary consumers.
Approximately _____% of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next highest trophic level.
Approximately _____% of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next highest trophic level.
10,000 kcal of producer could support approximately _____ kcal of tertiary consumer.
10,000 kcal of producer could support approximately _____ kcal of tertiary consumer.
What is an important consequence of global warming?
What is an important consequence of global warming?
What is the new and expanding field that uses ecological principles to develop methods to restore degraded areas to their natural state called?
What is the new and expanding field that uses ecological principles to develop methods to restore degraded areas to their natural state called?
What is the science of facilitating the return of a degraded ecosystem to a more natural condition?
What is the science of facilitating the return of a degraded ecosystem to a more natural condition?
Study Notes
Fossil Record and Evolution
- The fossil record is arranged in sedimentary rock layers, showcasing a chronological sequence of ancient life.
- Limitations exist within the fossil record as many species did not leave fossils, and many remain undiscovered.
- Modern whales exhibit vestigial pelvic bones, whereas transitional forms display functional pelvic structures linking them to four-legged ancestors.
Evolutionary Concepts
- An evolutionary tree diagram illustrates species relationships based on common ancestry and homologous traits.
- Charles Darwin coined the term "descent with modification" to encapsulate his theory of evolution.
- Unity among all life forms indicates a shared common ancestry, while diversity arises from species adapting to various habitats over time.
Natural Selection
- Natural selection, as proposed by Darwin, is a mechanism driving evolution.
- Key observations of natural selection include variation in inherited traits and the potential for overproduction of offspring.
- Organisms with advantageous traits tend to leave more offspring, resulting in adaptations over generations.
Genetic Variation and Population Dynamics
- The gene pool encompasses all the genes of a population, with genetic drift driven by chance events.
- Mutations occur due to alterations in DNA sequences, significantly influencing genetic variation.
- Modern travel enhances gene flow, reducing the effect of genetic drift on human evolution.
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
- Disturbances to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, such as loss of homozygous recessive individuals, indicate changes in the gene pool.
- Evolutionary changes arise from gene flow, genetic drift, mutation, and natural selection, contributing to microevolution.
Selection Types
- Stabilizing selection favors intermediate phenotypes, reducing variation by selecting against extremes.
- Disruptive selection promotes both extreme phenotypes over intermediates and may occur in varied habitats.
- Directional selection selects for phenotypes at one end of the spectrum, often during environmental changes.
Sexual Selection
- Sexual dimorphism refers to noticeable differences between sexes in size, appearance, and behavior due to selective mating.
- Intrasexual selection involves competition among one sex (usually males) for mating opportunities.
- In mate choice, individuals of one sex (typically females) select mates based on attractive characteristics or behaviors.
Ecological Principles
- A community comprises all populations living close enough for potential interaction.
- An animal’s niche is its role within its environment, encompassing all interactions and adaptations.
- Coevolution describes reciprocal evolutionary changes between two interacting species.
Ecosystem Structure
- Species diversity is defined by species richness and relative abundance in a community.
- Keystone species play a critical role; their removal can significantly disrupt ecosystem balance.
- In food webs, fifth trophic level consumers are rare due to insufficient energy transfer from lower levels.
Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
- Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient, with only about 5-10% of energy passed to the next level.
- Approximately 10,000 kcal of energy from producers can support around 10 kcal at the tertiary consumer level.
Environmental Changes and Restoration
- Global warming impacts terrestrial biomes by altering their distributions.
- Restoration ecology aims to use ecological principles for rehabilitating degraded ecosystems back to natural states.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Prepare for your biology finals with these flashcards covering key concepts such as the fossil record and its limitations. Test your knowledge and improve your understanding of essential biological principles. Ideal for revision before exams.
