Evolution and Biology

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following mechanisms introduces new genetic variation into a population?

  • Mutation (correct)
  • Natural selection
  • Gene flow
  • Genetic drift

Which of the following is an example of macroevolution?

  • The emergence of a new species of flowering plant through reproductive isolation. (correct)
  • Changes in the frequency of a specific coat color gene in a population of rabbits.
  • The development of antibiotic resistance in a population of bacteria.
  • A shift in the average beak size of finches on an island due to drought conditions.

What is the role of phylogenies in evolutionary biology?

  • To study the development of individual organisms.
  • To classify organisms based on physical characteristics.
  • To depict the evolutionary relationships among different taxa. (correct)
  • To analyze the molecular basis of biological activity.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genotype and phenotype?

<p>The genotype influences the phenotype. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely to reduce genetic differences between two populations?

<p>Gene flow (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a population of lizards experiences a period of prolonged drought, and only the lizards with larger, stronger jaws can survive by eating the hard seeds that remain, what type of selection is likely occurring?

<p>Directional Selection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?

<p>Allopatric speciation requires geographic isolation, while sympatric speciation occurs in the same geographic area. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The fossil record provides evidence for which of the following evolutionary processes?

<p>The extinction of species and the appearance of new ones over long periods of time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of using morphological data to infer phylogenetic relationships?

<p>Morphological similarities may not always reflect evolutionary relationships due to convergent evolution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding evolution important in the context of medicine?

<p>It helps in understanding and combating the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which domain includes organisms with cells containing membrane-bound nuclei and other complex organelles?

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

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

<p>Artificial selection is driven by human choice, while natural selection is driven by environmental factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo)?

<p>Comparing the developmental processes of different organisms to understand evolutionary relationships. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of genetic drift as a mechanism of evolution?

<p>It can cause random changes in allele frequencies, potentially leading to the loss of alleles, particularly in small populations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a clade?

<p>A group that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential consequence of a mass extinction event?

<p>The rapid diversification and evolution of surviving lineages into newly available niches. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does sexual selection differ from natural selection?

<p>Sexual selection focuses on traits that increase mating success, while natural selection focuses on traits that increase survival and reproduction in general. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which field combines computer science and information technology to analyze biological data?

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

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

<p>DNA makes RNA, and RNA makes protein. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which field aims to design and construct new biological systems or redesign existing ones for useful purposes?

<p>Synthetic biology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Evolution

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

Heritable Characteristics

Specific genes passed from parent to offspring during reproduction.

Genetic Variation

Differences in genes that affect an organism's physical traits.

Adaptations

Traits enhancing survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

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Phylogenetics

The study of evolutionary history and relationships among organisms.

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Phylogenies

Diagrams showing hypothesized evolutionary relationships of taxa.

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Clade

Group including a common ancestor and all its descendants.

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Domains

Highest taxonomic rank, grouping organisms by cell type.

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Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus.

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Eukaryotes

Organisms with cells containing a nucleus and complex organelles.

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Macroevolution

Evolution on a scale at or above the level of species.

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Microevolution

Change in allele frequencies within a population over time.

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Natural Selection

Differential survival and reproduction due to phenotype differences.

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Phenotype

Observable characteristics of an organism.

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Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism.

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Sexual Selection

Selection where mates are chosen based on specific traits.

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Genetic Drift

Change in allele frequency due to random sampling.

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Gene Flow

Transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

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Mutation

Change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

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Speciation

Populations evolve to become distinct species.

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Study Notes

  • Biology is the scientific study of life.
  • Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
  • These heritable characteristics are specific genes that are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction.
  • Evolution occurs because populations possess genetic variation that affects the physical traits of organisms.
  • Mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow are sources of genetic variation.
  • Evolution is driven by mechanisms such as natural selection (including sexual selection) and genetic drift.
  • Natural selection results in adaptations, which are traits that enhance survival and reproduction.
  • Genetic drift results from chance.
  • Evolution gives rise to biodiversity at every level of biological organization, including the levels of species, individual organisms, and molecules.
  • Evolution explains why living things are the way they are.
  • Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.
  • Phylogenies are diagrams of the hypothesized relationships of taxa as they have diverged during evolution.
  • A clade is a grouping that includes a common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor (i.e. a monophyletic grouping).
  • Phylogenies are inferred using morphological and genetic data.
  • Domains are the highest taxonomic rank in the hierarchical biological classification system.
  • The three domains of life are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota.
  • Archaea and Bacteria are prokaryotes, single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus and other complex organelles.
  • Eukaryota have cells containing a membrane-bound nucleus and other complex organelles.
  • Evolution impacts many aspects of our daily lives.
  • Understanding evolution is important in medicine because many bacteria and viruses evolve resistance to drugs.
  • Understanding evolution is important in agriculture because crops and livestock can be improved through artificial selection.
  • Understanding evolution is important in conservation because it can help us to understand how species will respond to climate change and other environmental challenges.
  • Evolutionary biology is an academic discipline
  • Macroevolution is evolution on a scale at or above the level of species.
  • It can be defined simply as change above the species level.
  • It refers to major evolutionary changes over long periods.
  • The creation of new species and the extinction of species are both macroevolution.
  • Macroevolutionary topics include adaptive radiation, the evolution of complex features, and the effect of mass extinctions on the diversity of life.
  • Microevolution is the change in allele frequencies that occur over time within a population.
  • These changes may be due to natural selection, mutation, gene flow and genetic drift.
  • Population genetics is the study of changes in allele frequencies within populations.
  • Quantitative genetics is the study of continuously varying traits.
  • An adaptation is a trait with a functional role in the life of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection.
  • Adaptations can be structural, physiological, or behavioral.
  • Examples of adaptations include the thick fur of arctic animals, the water-conserving adaptations of desert plants, and the camouflage of many insects.
  • Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.
  • It is a key mechanism of evolution, the change in the heritable characteristics typical of a population over successive generations.
  • Natural selection acts on the phenotype, or observable characteristics, of an organism.
  • The phenotype is influenced by the genotype, or genetic makeup, of the organism.
  • Natural selection can lead to adaptation, which is the evolution of traits that enhance survival and reproduction.
  • Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection in which members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with.
  • Sexual selection can lead to the evolution of traits that are attractive to mates, such as the bright colors of male birds.
  • Genetic drift is the change in the frequency of a gene variant (allele) in a population due to random sampling of organisms.
  • The alleles in the offspring are a sample of those in the parents, and chance has a role in determining whether a given individual survives and reproduces.
  • Genetic drift is an important mechanism of evolutionary change.
  • Gene flow is the transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.
  • Gene flow can introduce new alleles into a population or increase the frequency of existing alleles.
  • Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism.
  • Mutations can be spontaneous or caused by mutagens, such as radiation or chemicals.
  • Mutations are the ultimate source of all new genetic variation.
  • Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.
  • Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated from each other.
  • Sympatric speciation occurs when populations are not geographically isolated from each other.
  • Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds of organism (taxon), usually a species.
  • Extinction occurs when species are diminished because of environmental forces (habitat fragmentation, global change, natural disaster, overexploitation of species for human use) or because of evolutionary changes in their members
  • Mass extinction is a relatively sudden, global decrease in the diversity of life forms.
  • Mass extinctions have occurred periodically throughout the history of life on Earth.
  • The fossil record is the totality of fossilized artifacts and their placement in fossiliferous rock formations (strata).
  • It provides a window into the past, which has delivered insights into the evolution of life on Earth
  • Comparative anatomy is the study of the similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species.
  • It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny, the evolution of species.
  • Comparative embryology is the study of the similarities and differences in the development of different organisms.
  • It is used to infer evolutionary relationships between organisms.
  • Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity.
  • The central dogma of molecular biology is that DNA makes RNA, and RNA makes protein.
  • Genomics is the study of the complete set of genes of an organism.
  • Proteomics is the study of the complete set of proteins of an organism.
  • Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology.
  • Evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo) is a field of biological research that compares the developmental processes of different organisms to infer the ancestral relationships between them and to understand how developmental processes evolve.
  • Systems biology is the study of biological systems by analyzing the interactions of their components.
  • Synthetic biology is a multidisciplinary area of research that aims at the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, or the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes.
  • Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
  • Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical approach in the social and natural sciences that examines psychological structure from a modern evolutionary perspective.
  • Cultural evolution is the idea that human cultural change—that is, changes in socially transmitted beliefs, knowledge, customs, skills, attitudes, languages, and so on—can be described as a Darwinian evolutionary process that is similar to, but distinct from, genetic evolution.

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