Biology Unit 6: Evolutionary Evidence Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'analogous' mean?

Being related or showing a close similarity (correct)

A type of embryonic development

A type of genetic mutation

The process of evolutionary change

What does 'embryo' refer to?

The beginning or developing stage of an organism

What is 'embryology'?

The form and structure of an embryo or any of its parts

What does 'homologous' mean?

Having a similarity attributable to a common ancestor Signup and view all the answers

Define 'lineage'.

Continuous line of descent Signup and view all the answers

What is 'macroevolution'?

Evolution above the species level Signup and view all the answers

What is 'microevolution'?

Evolution at or below the species level Signup and view all the answers

What does 'morphology' refer to?

Form and structure of an organism or any of its parts Signup and view all the answers

What is 'speciation'?

The splitting of a lineage into separate and distinct species Signup and view all the answers

Define 'species'.

Group of related organisms that share features and characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vestigial' mean?

Small or underdeveloped Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of microevolution?

A population of birds with red feathers slowly changes to having blue feathers Signup and view all the answers

Over time, a tadpole changes into a frog. Has it evolved?

No, because its genes are still the same Signup and view all the answers

Evolution _____?

Is a slow, gradual change over time Signup and view all the answers

The evolution of the eohippus into the modern-day horse is an example of _____?

Character change Signup and view all the answers

Select all that apply. Macroevolution _____?

Refers to evolution above the species level Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following animals will have a forelimb most similar to a dolphin?

Human Signup and view all the answers

Both bats and honeybees have wings. Which of the following statements is true?

Since they do not come from a common ancestor, honeybee wings and bat wings are analogous structures. Signup and view all the answers

Comparative morphology _____?

Compares the anatomy of organisms of different species Signup and view all the answers

During the early stages of embryo development, dolphins have gill pouches. What does this mean?

Dolphins and fish share a distant, common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

Whales have vestigial legs. This suggests they _____?

Descended from land animals Signup and view all the answers

Select all that apply. Fossils _____?

Suggest modern-day organisms evolved over time Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Analogous: Related or showing close similarity, often implying that structures serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestor.
Embryo: Initial or developing stage of an organism, critical for understanding development and evolutionary biology.
Embryology: Study of the form and structure of embryos or parts, providing insight into developmental processes and evolutionary relationships.
Homologous: Similarity in structures due to shared ancestry, indicating evolutionary connections between different species.
Lineage: Continuous line of descent, important for tracing evolutionary history and lineage divergence.
Macroevolution: Evolutionary changes that occur above the species level, encompassing the origin of new species, genera, families, and higher taxonomic levels.
Microevolution: Evolutionary changes within a species or population, usually referring to small-scale alterations like allele frequency changes.
Morphology: Study of the form and structure of organisms, crucial for understanding evolutionary adaptations and relationships.
Speciation: Process through which a lineage splits into distinct species, highlighting mechanisms of divergence and adaptation.
Species: Group of related organisms sharing common features and characteristics, fundamental unit in biological classification.
Vestigial: Referring to structures that are small or underdeveloped, suggesting an evolutionary history where these structures were more prominent.

Examples and Concepts

Microevolution Example: Change in feather color in a bird population from red to blue illustrates gradual changes within a species.
Evolution and Tadpole to Frog: A tadpole changing into a frog is not considered evolution as its genes remain constant.
Nature of Evolution: Evolution is generally a slow, gradual process rather than rapid changes.
Eohippus to Modern Horse: Illustrates a character change through evolution, showcasing gradual morphological adjustments.
Macroevolution: Involves the study of life’s history over time and refers to evolutionary changes that occur above the species level, analyzing major evolutionary patterns.

Comparative Structures

Forelimb Similarity: Humans share a more similar forelimb structure with dolphins than with other animals like sharks or lizards, highlighting evolutionary kinship.
Analogous Structures: Bat and honeybee wings are analogous structures, having arisen independently rather than from a common ancestor.
Comparative Morphology: Focuses on anatomical similarities and differences across species to understand evolutionary relationships better.

Developmental Evidence

Gill Pouches in Dolphin Embryos: Presence indicates dolphins share a distant common ancestor with fish, supporting theories of evolutionary lineage.
Vestigial Structures in Whales: Suggest that whales descended from land-dwelling ancestors, illustrating the concept of evolution through adaptation.

Fossil Record

Role of Fossils: Provide evidence of evolutionary relationships and suggest gradual changes over time. They can be organized by age to form a fossil record, reinforcing the idea of biological evolution.

Selection and Evolutionary Statements

True statements emphasize the relationship between organisms evolving in similar environments and the nature of structural homologies and analogies.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards focusing on evolutionary evidence in biology. This unit explores key terms such as analogous, embryo, and homologous, providing foundational concepts essential for understanding evolution. Perfect for students seeking a quick review of important biological vocabulary.