Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is an adaptation?
What is an adaptation?
Physical trait of a living organism that helps it survive in its environment
What does analogous mean?
What does analogous mean?
Same structure but may have a different function
Define comparative anatomy.
Define comparative anatomy.
Studying comparing structure of different living organisms; provides evidence for evolution
What is comparative embryology?
What is comparative embryology?
What is evolution?
What is evolution?
What does extinct mean?
What does extinct mean?
What is a fossil?
What is a fossil?
Define homologous.
Define homologous.
What is a mutation?
What is a mutation?
What is natural selection?
What is natural selection?
Define population.
Define population.
What does species mean?
What does species mean?
What does variation refer to in a biological context?
What does variation refer to in a biological context?
What is a vestigial structure?
What is a vestigial structure?
What does binomial nomenclature refer to?
What does binomial nomenclature refer to?
What is a class in taxonomy?
What is a class in taxonomy?
Define family in a taxonomic context.
Define family in a taxonomic context.
What is a genus?
What is a genus?
What is a kingdom in biological classification?
What is a kingdom in biological classification?
What is an order in taxonomy?
What is an order in taxonomy?
Define phylogeny.
Define phylogeny.
What is a phylum?
What is a phylum?
What are taxa?
What are taxa?
Define taxonomy.
Define taxonomy.
What is meant by overproduction in the context of natural selection?
What is meant by overproduction in the context of natural selection?
What does genetic variation refer to?
What does genetic variation refer to?
What is the struggle to survive?
What is the struggle to survive?
What is successful reproduction?
What is successful reproduction?
What is a dichotomous key?
What is a dichotomous key?
How many domains are there?
How many domains are there?
How many kingdoms are there?
How many kingdoms are there?
Who came up with our current classification and naming system?
Who came up with our current classification and naming system?
Where are fossils most commonly found?
Where are fossils most commonly found?
What differences puzzled Charles Darwin in the Galapagos finches?
What differences puzzled Charles Darwin in the Galapagos finches?
What is generation time?
What is generation time?
What does the fossil record provide?
What does the fossil record provide?
What happens when specialization occurs?
What happens when specialization occurs?
What is selective breeding or artificial selection?
What is selective breeding or artificial selection?
What does domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi include?
What does domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi include?
What is domain Archaea known for?
What is domain Archaea known for?
What characterizes kingdom Archaebacteria?
What characterizes kingdom Archaebacteria?
What distinguishes domain Bacteria?
What distinguishes domain Bacteria?
What does kingdom Eubacteria include?
What does kingdom Eubacteria include?
Define domain Eukaryota.
Define domain Eukaryota.
What is kingdom Protista?
What is kingdom Protista?
What does kingdom Fungi consist of?
What does kingdom Fungi consist of?
What characterizes kingdom Plantae?
What characterizes kingdom Plantae?
What distinguished kingdom Animalia?
What distinguished kingdom Animalia?
Define taxon.
Define taxon.
What is phylogeny related to?
What is phylogeny related to?
What is the first name in a scientific name?
What is the first name in a scientific name?
What is the second name in a scientific name?
What is the second name in a scientific name?
What languages are used in naming organisms?
What languages are used in naming organisms?
What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Animalia?
What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Animalia?
Define domain Archaea, kingdom Archaebacteria.
Define domain Archaea, kingdom Archaebacteria.
What distinguishes domain Bacteria, kingdom Eubacteria?
What distinguishes domain Bacteria, kingdom Eubacteria?
What describes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Protista?
What describes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Protista?
What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi?
What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi?
What distinguishes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Plantae?
What distinguishes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Plantae?
What is the fundamental unit of classification/taxonomy?
What is the fundamental unit of classification/taxonomy?
What is evidence in science based on?
What is evidence in science based on?
What does comparative biochemistry study?
What does comparative biochemistry study?
What did Darwin not understand regarding the causes of variation?
What did Darwin not understand regarding the causes of variation?
How can you see how evolution works?
How can you see how evolution works?
Why can mutations lead to variation?
Why can mutations lead to variation?
What does evolution mean?
What does evolution mean?
Who is known as the father of taxonomy?
Who is known as the father of taxonomy?
Who came up with the losing theory of evolution?
Who came up with the losing theory of evolution?
What was Lamarck's theory called?
What was Lamarck's theory called?
What does natural selection mean?
What does natural selection mean?
Who came up with a similar theory to Darwin's?
Who came up with a similar theory to Darwin's?
What is taxonomy?
What is taxonomy?
What is evolution as a theory?
What is evolution as a theory?
What is phylogeny based on?
What is phylogeny based on?
What defines a theory?
What defines a theory?
What provides evidence that supports evolution?
What provides evidence that supports evolution?
What does homologous mean in biology?
What does homologous mean in biology?
What are homologous and vestigial structures evidence for?
What are homologous and vestigial structures evidence for?
What does analogous describe?
What does analogous describe?
What is convergent evolution?
What is convergent evolution?
Where did Darwin study?
Where did Darwin study?
What is the key characteristic of natural selection?
What is the key characteristic of natural selection?
What characterizes selective breeding?
What characterizes selective breeding?
Study Notes
Evolution Concepts
- Adaptation: Traits that enhance survival in specific environments.
- Evolution: The process of change in living organisms over time.
- Natural Selection: The mechanism where individuals better suited for their environment survive and reproduce.
- Mutation: Genetic alterations that can introduce variation within a population.
- Overproduction: Producing more offspring than can survive, leading to competition.
- Genetic Variation: Diversity in traits among individuals in a population.
Comparative Studies
- Comparative Anatomy: Examining structural similarities in different organisms as evidence for evolution.
- Comparative Embryology: Analyzing the development stages to uncover evolutionary relationships.
- Comparative Biochemistry: Investigating DNA and protein similarities among organisms indicating common ancestry.
Classification Hierarchy
- Taxonomy: The science of classifying and naming organisms, creating structured categories.
- Binomial Nomenclature: A two-part naming system for species, combining genus and species names.
- Taxonomic Ranks:
- Domain: The highest classification, encompassing broad groups.
- Kingdom: Major divisions within domains, such as Animalia and Plantae.
- Phylum and Class: Subdivisions within kingdoms, grouping related organisms.
- Family, Genus, and Species: Further classifications that narrow down characteristics and relationships.
Evidence of Evolution
- Fossils: Remnants of ancient organisms that provide insights into the history of life.
- Homologous Structures: Common structural features in different species suggesting a shared ancestor.
- Vestigial Structures: Anatomy that has lost its original function, indicating evolutionary history.
Theories and Key Figures
- Charles Darwin: Proposed evolution through natural selection; conducted research in the Galapagos Islands.
- Lamarck: Introduced the discredited theory of acquired traits, proposing that organisms evolve based on use and disuse of traits.
- Wallace: Independent theorist who developed ideas similar to Darwin's but published later.
Organism Characteristics
- Species: Groups capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
- Population: The collection of individuals within a species in a given area.
- Variation: Differences among individuals within species, essential for natural selection.
Modern Organism Domains and Kingdoms
- Domain Eukaryota: Includes organisms with complex cells; further divided into:
- Kingdom Fungi: Heterotrophic and primarily decomposers.
- Kingdom Plantae: Autotrophic, obtaining energy through photosynthesis.
- Kingdom Animalia: Multicellular, heterotrophic organisms without cell walls.
- Kingdom Protista: Mostly unicellular with varied nutritional modes.
Evolutionary Processes
- Specialization: The evolution of populations into distinct groups that can no longer interbreed.
- Convergent Evolution: Different species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, despite lacking a recent common ancestor.
- Artificial Selection: Humans selectively breed organisms for desired traits, demonstrating a form of selection.
Miscellaneous Concepts
- Dichotomous Key: A tool for identifying organisms through a series of questions.
- Fossil Record: An archive of historical life forms, demonstrating shifts in species over time and supporting evolutionary theory.
- Theory of Evolution: A well-supported scientific explanation of species' development based on evidence from a variety of disciplines.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts related to evolution and classification with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions and insights into important terms such as adaptation and comparative anatomy. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of biological sciences.
