Ecology Vocabulary Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an ecomorph?

The classification of a species based on their behavior

The classification of a species based on their size

The classification of a species based on their habitat (correct)

The classification of a species based on their diet

What is a niche?

The role of the organism in the environment.

What does phylogeny study?

How living things are evolutionarily related.

What is a common ancestor?

An organism that came before others with similar features. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a species?

Individuals that can reproduce successfully. Signup and view all the answers

What does DNA evidence for evolution suggest?

Having more similar DNA sequences means that two species are closely related. Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic diversity?

Different genes in a population. Signup and view all the answers

What is adaptation?

Changes to organisms to fit their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

Changes in the environment can cause changes in a species. Signup and view all the answers

What is convergent evolution?

Independently evolve similar traits because of their similar needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is divergent evolution?

Evolve in different groups from a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What is adaptive radiation?

When a trait goes from an original population to subpopulations. Signup and view all the answers

What are homologous structures?

Similar in position, structure, and evolutionary origin but not necessarily in function. Signup and view all the answers

What are analogous structures?

Structures that have similar form or function but were not present in the last common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What are vestigial structures?

Structures not present in organisms but used in a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the bottleneck effect?

When there are only a few survivors in a population. Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic drift?

Change in gene frequency of a population due to random events. Signup and view all the answers

What is the founder effect?

Same as bottleneck effect, but a population breaks off and founds a new population. Signup and view all the answers

What is gene flow?

New genes come into a population or genes leave a population. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Miller-Urey experiment?

An experiment to prove that biomolecules could have formed in early Earth conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the endosymbiotic theory state?

Mitochondria and plastids were formerly small prokaryotes living within larger host cells. Signup and view all the answers

What provides proof of the endosymbiotic theory?

Similarities in inner membrane structure, circular DNA, similar DNA sequences, self-reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a gene pool?

Total of all the genes in a population. Signup and view all the answers

What is reproductive isolation?

When two populations become separated and evolve differently. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a population?

A group of organisms in the same area that can reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecomorph and Niche

Ecomorph: Classification of species based on their habitat and ecosystem presence.
Niche: The role or function of an organism within its environment, encompassing what it contributes and extracts.

Evolution and Phylogeny

Phylogeny: Study of evolutionary relationships among living organisms.
Common Ancestor: An early organism from which later species evolved, sharing similar features.

Species and Reproduction

Species: A group of individuals capable of interbreeding successfully.

Genetic Evidence for Evolution

DNA Similarity: Closely related species exhibit more similar DNA sequences.

Population Genetics

Genetic Diversity: The variety of genes within a population, contributing to adaptability.

Adaptation and Natural Selection

Adaptation: Organisms undergo changes to better fit their environment.
Natural Selection: Environmental changes lead to the survival and reproduction of individuals best suited to those conditions.

Evolutionary Processes

Convergent Evolution: Different species independently evolve similar traits due to facing similar environmental pressures.
Divergent Evolution: Species evolve differently from a common ancestor, leading to new characteristics.

Adaptive Radiation

Adaptive Radiation: Original traits evolve into distinct subpopulations that adapt to diverse environments, eventually becoming separate species.

Structures and Evolution

Homologous Structures: Organs or bones that share a common evolutionary origin but may serve different functions.
Analogous Structures: Similar functions or appearances in unrelated species, lacking a shared ancestry.
Vestigial Structures: Inherited structures that are reduced or no longer serve their original purpose.

Genetic Drift and Its Effects

Bottleneck Effect: A sharp reduction in population size resulting in a loss of genetic diversity.
Genetic Drift: Random changes in gene frequencies within small populations.
Founder Effect: A small number of individuals establish a new population, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Gene Flow and Population Dynamics

Gene Flow: The transfer of genetic material into or out of a population, influencing genetic diversity.

Miller-Urey Experiment

Conducted in the 1950s to demonstrate the abiotic synthesis of biomolecules under early Earth-like conditions; evidence included the production of amino acids.

Endosymbiotic Theory

Proposes that mitochondria and plastids originated from free-living prokaryotes that incorporated themselves into larger cells.
Proof of Endosymbiotic Theory: Similarities in membrane structure, presence of circular DNA, and self-reproduction characteristics suggest a prokaryotic origin.

Gene Pool and Reproductive Isolation

Gene Pool: The complete set of genes found within a population.
Reproductive Isolation: Occurs when populations are physically separated, evolve independently, and can no longer interbreed.

Population Definition

Population: A group of organisms of the same species residing in a specified area capable of interbreeding.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key ecological terms with these flashcards. Definitions of words like ecomorph, niche, and phylogeny will help you understand their significance in the ecosystem and evolutionary biology.