Biology Unit 7 & 8 Review: Evolution and Taxonomy

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a synapomorphy in phylogenetics?

  • A unique characteristic of one species
  • An ancestral trait that is lost in some descendants
  • A shared derived character from a common ancestor (correct)
  • A trait that is shared by two groups but originated independently

Which taxonomic category is the most specific?

  • Family
  • Order
  • Genus
  • Species (correct)

What is the function of binomial nomenclature in taxonomy?

  • To give each species a two-part name for classification. (correct)
  • To provide a shared name for all animals
  • To determine the evolutionary relationships among species.
  • To classify animals into families.

How are character data defined in phylogenetics?

<p>Information used to identify branches on a cladogram (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the difference between taxonomy and phylogenetics?

<p>Taxonomy is about the naming and classification of organisms, while phylogenetics studies how they are related. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of data can be considered as character data in phylogenetic analysis?

<p>Morphological, molecular, and genetic traits. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary trait is associated exclusively with members of the family Carnivora?

<p>Carnassial teeth for shearing meat. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which describes the process of lekking among manakins?

<p>A communal display of coordinated performances to attract females. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption behind animal behavior optimization in cost/benefit analysis?

<p>Animals are likely to make optimal decisions when benefits exceed costs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of a typical beaver family structure?

<p>Monogamous adult pair with offspring that can be up to three years old. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a beaver's scent mound?

<p>To signal family membership and territory to other beavers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a category of acoustic signal degradation?

<p>Sound Amplification (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of acoustic communication, what does attenuation refer to?

<p>The weakening of sound signals due to distance and environmental factors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which influence is significant in degrading acoustic signal quality?

<p>Environmental factors such as temperature and wind. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be a potential reason for beavers to invest time and energy into creating scent mounds?

<p>To ensure communication benefits that outweigh the costs of making them. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies the application of multiple hypotheses in understanding beaver scent mounding behavior?

<p>Different reasons for creating mounds are considered, such as communication and territory marking. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sound energy as it propagates over distance?

<p>Sound energy is lost and spreads over a larger area. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does temperature affect sound propagation?

<p>Sound travels faster in warmer temperatures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does wind direction have on sound communication range?

<p>Sending sound against the wind decreases range. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sound frequency is less likely to degrade over long distances?

<p>Low frequencies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is a Transfer Function related to sound degradation?

<p>It describes the pattern of frequency degradation varying with environmental conditions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of Scattering in sound propagation?

<p>It can reduce the effective range of sound. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when sound travels differently in layers of water with varying temperatures?

<p>Refraction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Heat Loss refer to in the context of sound propagation?

<p>The conversion of sound energy into thermal energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does runaway selection describe in the context of evolutionary traits?

<p>Females evolving preferences for traits unrelated to mate choice. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Fisher's hypothesis, which statement is accurate?

<p>The preference is expressed only in females and the trait in males. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Zahavi's Handicap Principle suggest about sexually selected traits?

<p>Costly traits signal that a male has good health and genes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do sexually selected traits directly indicate health according to the content?

<p>By exhibiting traits that signal parasite resistance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What relationship exists between peacock eyespot area and reproductive success?

<p>Peacocks with greater eyespot area have greater reproductive success. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adaptive response might a species use to differentiate their sounds from ambient noise?

<p>Varying the temporal pattern of sounds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes sexual dimorphism in the context of sexual selection?

<p>Males display more elaborate traits than females. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of male competition for mating access?

<p>Males exhibit high variance in reproductive success. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does parental investment differ between sexes?

<p>Females typically face more costs in raising offspring. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mechanisms describes how males might gain access to females?

<p>Through physical competition or displays. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes a significant difference between sexual selection and natural selection?

<p>Sexual selection often focuses on traits that enhance mating opportunities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect did Covid have on bird song in the San Francisco area?

<p>Birds increased their song rates. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does cumulative selection imply in sexual selection?

<p>Traits build upon previous traits over time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when individuals in a population differ in their ability to attract mates?

<p>Sexual selection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is NOT an example of sexual selection?

<p>The color of a bird's feathers for camouflage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of sexually selected traits?

<p>Higher visibility to predators (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes gradual selection of traits that convey a mating advantage over time?

<p>Gradual evolution (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of parental investment, what characterizes a population with low disparity?

<p>Males and females have little difference in investment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of signals in males may exploit female sensory systems for attraction?

<p>Visual stimuli linked to male fitness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis explains the success of animals whose offspring survive and have high reproductive success?

<p>Fisher's Sexy Son Hypothesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes differential reproduction?

<p>Only a few individuals contribute to the gene pool (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait shared by species that exhibit extreme morphological sexual dimorphism?

<p>High competition among males (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of females affect the song switching in red-winged blackbirds?

<p>It increases the frequency of song switching (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biological Evolution

The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Natural Selection

A process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring.

Species

A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms.

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Nested Hierarchy

A system of classification where groups are contained within larger groups, reflecting evolutionary relationships.

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Synapomorphy

A shared derived character inherited from a common ancestor.

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Cladogram

A branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among organisms based on shared derived characters.

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Character Data

Information used to determine evolutionary relationships, including morphology, anatomy, molecules, behavior, and life history traits.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis

Predicting optimal animal behavior by weighing the advantages against the disadvantages; animals make decisions where benefits outweigh costs.

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Beaver Scent Mound

A mound of grass and mud, marked with beaver scent (castoreum).

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Beaver Communication Purpose

Provides information about identity, family, and territorial boundaries, helping beavers identify potential intruders.

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Signal Degradation (Acoustic)

Ways sound signals weaken or distort; Four main types are attenuation, frequency distortions, temporal distortions and masking.

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Attenuation (Acoustic)

A decrease in sound intensity/strength over distance, due to spreading or changes in medium.

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Frequency Distortion

Changes in the frequency components of a sound signal causing it to be misinterpreted.

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Temporal Distortion

Changes to the timing of sounds, causing misinterpretation of the message sent.

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Sound Masking

Background noises interfering with the ability to hear another sound.

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Sound Attenuation

The loss of sound energy as it travels.

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Sound Spreading Loss

Sound energy spreads out over a larger area, reducing intensity.

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Refraction

Sound traveling at different speeds in different temperatures or mediums (air, water).

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Transfer Function

How sound changes in frequency as it travels through different environments.

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Heat Loss

Sound energy converted to heat energy during travel.

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Frequency Degradation

Higher frequencies lose energy faster than lower frequencies over distance.

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Scattering

Sound reflection and absorption by various elements in the surrounding environment.

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Acoustic Characteristics

Properties of a sound affecting how it travels, like frequency and intensity, affecting loss.

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Adaptive Responses to Sound

A change in an animal's sound production or perception to cope with background and conspecific noise.

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Channel Partitioning

A strategy where animals adjust their sound frequency or timing to avoid overlapping with other sounds.

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Frequency Shift

Changing the pitch of a sound to avoid interference from ambient noise.

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Temporal Variation

Altering the timing or rhythm of a sound to contrast with background noise.

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Sexual Dimorphism

A clear difference in appearance between males and females of the same species.

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Stepwise Preference & Elaboration

The idea that females may initially prefer males with certain traits, leading to the gradual evolution of more elaborate traits in males over generations.

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Sexual Selection

A type of natural selection where traits that increase an individual's chances of attracting mates are favored.

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Parental Investment

The time, energy, and resources invested by a parent in raising their offspring.

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Runaway Selection

A process where a trait becomes more exaggerated over generations because it's attractive to mates, even if it doesn't improve survival.

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Why do males have colorful feathers?

Colorful feathers can signal a male's good health, quality, or genetic fitness to females.

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What is the advantage of a long call for a grey tree frog?

Long calls can indicate better genetic quality and offspring survivability, making them more attractive to females.

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What is the trade-off in sexual selection?

Traits that attract mates can also make individuals more vulnerable to predators or require more energy to maintain.

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How do traits evolve through sexual selection?

Traits that increase mating success will be passed on to more offspring, gradually becoming more common in the population.

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What signals are associated with male fitness?

Traits that indicate a male's health, strong genes, and good resources can be attractive to females.

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How does runaway selection affect reproduction?

A trait can become so exaggerated that it harms the organism's survival, but it's still favored because it attracts mates.

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Fisher's Hypothesis

Suggests that female preferences for certain male traits can evolve alongside the traits themselves. This phenomenon can result in a positive feedback loop, where the more popular a trait becomes, the more attractive it appears to females.

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Indicator Mechanisms

Costly traits in males, like elaborate plumage or loud calls, can signal their good health and genes because only those with strong genes can survive the costs of these traits.

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What are some examples of sexually selected traits?

Sexually selected traits can be directly related to health, like the blood color of a frigatebird indicating parasite resistance, or indirectly related, like the song rate of a male bird reflecting parental care.

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Honest Indicator

A trait that reliably signals an individual's quality or fitness. Such traits are maintained because they are costly to produce and maintain, making it impossible for individuals to fake them.

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Study Notes

Unit 7 - Evolution Review

  • Biological evolution is the process of change in species over time.
  • Natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. It is the process where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring.

Unit 8 Phylogenetics and Behavior

  • Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms.
  • Taxonomic classification uses a nested hierarchy, progressing from most specific (species) to least specific (domain). An example is Panthera pardus (leopard). The hierarchy includes species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.
  • Binomial nomenclature is a system for naming species using two names: genus and species (e.g., Panthera pardus = leopard).

What is a species?

  • A species is a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

What is the difference between a taxonomic category and designation?

  • Taxonomic categories are the hierarchical levels in the classification system.
  • Taxonomic designations are binomial nomenclature, the scientific names given to species.

What is the science of phylogenetics (cladistics)?

  • Phylogenetics (cladistics) is the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms, using shared derived characters.

Unit 9 - Cost/Benefit Analysis

  • Cost benefit analysis predicts that animals will evolve optimal behaviors where benefits outweigh the costs.
  • Example of beaver chemical communication, scent mound building and the cost/benefit analysis associated.

Unit 10 - Environmental Constraints on Acoustic Communication

  • Acoustic communication can be degraded in several ways: attenuation through spreading losses and refraction, where temperature and wind affect these processes; and sound masking by natural and anthropogenic noise.

Unit 11 - Sexual Selection

  • Sexual selection is the process that results in exaggerated traits that are not necessary for survival but help individuals attract mates.
  • Darwin's Observations of Sexual Dimorphism describes elaborate males and cryptic or inconspicuous females.
  • Sexual selection occurs through sexual dimorphism where one sex (typically male) has elaborate ornamentation, armaments, or displays. The other sex is typically cryptic in morphology and behaviour.
  • Mechanisms of sexual selection include runaway selection and indicator mechanisms.
  • Runaway selection occurs when traits that are attractive to females and these traits are selected by females.
  • Indicator mechanisms like Zahavi's handicap principle show that traits that are costly to produce may signal the male's genetic quality or health.

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