Evolution and Classification Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an adaptation?

Physical trait of a living organism that helps it survive in its environment

What does analogous mean?

Same structure but may have a different function

Define comparative anatomy.

Studying comparing structure of different living organisms; provides evidence for evolution

What is comparative embryology?

Study of developing organisms showing relationships not obvious in the organisms adult form Signup and view all the answers

What is evolution?

The change in living organisms over time Signup and view all the answers

What does extinct mean?

A species that has died off Signup and view all the answers

What is a fossil?

Evidence of organisms that lived long ago Signup and view all the answers

Define homologous.

Similar in structure, function or both. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mutation?

A mistake in the replication of genetic material Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

Process resulting in the survival of the best-adapted individuals in a population Signup and view all the answers

Define population.

All organisms within a breeding group Signup and view all the answers

What does species mean?

Group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring Signup and view all the answers

What does variation refer to in a biological context?

Differences Signup and view all the answers

What is a vestigial structure?

Structure once useful for an organism's lifestyle but now has no function Signup and view all the answers

What does binomial nomenclature refer to?

Two part system of biological classification Signup and view all the answers

What is a class in taxonomy?

Taxonomic grouping of related orders of living organisms Signup and view all the answers

Define family in a taxonomic context.

Taxonomic group of related genera of living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is a genus?

Taxonomic grouping of related species Signup and view all the answers

What is a kingdom in biological classification?

Broadest taxon in the classification of living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is an order in taxonomy?

Taxonomic grouping of related families of living organisms Signup and view all the answers

Define phylogeny.

Evolutionary history of a living organism based on such factors as fossil evidence and biochemical comparisons of enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is a phylum?

Taxonomic grouping of related classes of living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What are taxa?

Particular categories in the biological classification system Signup and view all the answers

Define taxonomy.

Science of classification of living organisms that creates a hierarchy based on their similarities and differences Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by overproduction in the context of natural selection?

More offspring are produced than can survive Signup and view all the answers

What does genetic variation refer to?

Any given population of organisms there will be a large variety of traits Signup and view all the answers

What is the struggle to survive?

The population will have to compete to survive Signup and view all the answers

What is successful reproduction?

Individuals that are well adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce Signup and view all the answers

What is a dichotomous key?

Two branch questions used to identify an organism Signup and view all the answers

How many domains are there?

3 Signup and view all the answers

How many kingdoms are there?

6 Signup and view all the answers

Who came up with our current classification and naming system?

Carlous Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

Where are fossils most commonly found?

Sedimentary rock Signup and view all the answers

What differences puzzled Charles Darwin in the Galapagos finches?

Beaks Signup and view all the answers

What is generation time?

Populations of insects and bacteria can evolve quickly because they usually have a short generation time Signup and view all the answers

What does the fossil record provide?

Information about organisms that have lived in the past Signup and view all the answers

What happens when specialization occurs?

When a single population evolves into two populations that cannot interbreed anymore Signup and view all the answers

What is selective breeding or artificial selection?

Humans select organisms with desirable traits that will be passed on from one generation to another Signup and view all the answers

What does domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi include?

Multicellular organisms with a nucleus that are heterotrophic with a cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What is domain Archaea known for?

Old group of bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes kingdom Archaebacteria?

Oldest less complex bacteria (prokaryotes) found in extreme conditions/environments Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes domain Bacteria?

Evolved from Archaea Signup and view all the answers

What does kingdom Eubacteria include?

Modern bacteria, more complex biochemistry, most common Signup and view all the answers

Define domain Eukaryota.

Cells with a nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is kingdom Protista?

Mostly unicellular organisms that are plant-like, animal-like or fungus-like Signup and view all the answers

What does kingdom Fungi consist of?

Heterotrophic; mostly decomposers but may be parasites, multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes kingdom Plantae?

Autotrophic - photosynthetic, multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What distinguished kingdom Animalia?

Heterotrophic - herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, multicellular, no cell wall Signup and view all the answers

Define taxon.

A group of organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is phylogeny related to?

Current system is based on evolutionary ancestry Signup and view all the answers

What is the first name in a scientific name?

Genus, capitalized Signup and view all the answers

What is the second name in a scientific name?

Species, lower case descriptive Signup and view all the answers

What languages are used in naming organisms?

Greek and Latin Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Animalia?

Has a nucleus, multicellular, heterotrophic, no cell wall Signup and view all the answers

Define domain Archaea, kingdom Archaebacteria.

Has no nucleus, older, less complex Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes domain Bacteria, kingdom Eubacteria?

Has no nucleus, modern, more complex Signup and view all the answers

What describes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Protista?

Has a nucleus, unicellular Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi?

Has a nucleus, multicellular, heterotrophic, cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes domain Eukaryota, kingdom Plantae?

Has a nucleus, multicellular, autotrophic, cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental unit of classification/taxonomy?

Species of taxon Signup and view all the answers

What is evidence in science based on?

Science is based on evidence Signup and view all the answers

What does comparative biochemistry study?

Similar organisms have similar DNA and code for the building of similar proteins Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin not understand regarding the causes of variation?

What did Darwin not understand? Signup and view all the answers

How can you see how evolution works?

By observing genes Signup and view all the answers

Why can mutations lead to variation?

Because mistakes can happen Signup and view all the answers

What does evolution mean?

Change over time Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the father of taxonomy?

Linneus Signup and view all the answers

Who came up with the losing theory of evolution?

Lamarck Signup and view all the answers

What was Lamarck's theory called?

Theory of acquired traits Signup and view all the answers

What does natural selection mean?

"Survival of the fittest" Signup and view all the answers

Who came up with a similar theory to Darwin's?

Wallace Signup and view all the answers

What is taxonomy?

Science of naming and classifying organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is evolution as a theory?

Is a theory and is based on evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is phylogeny based on?

Current system of classification is based on Signup and view all the answers

What defines a theory?

A well accepted hypothesis in the scientific community Signup and view all the answers

What provides evidence that supports evolution?

Fossils, comparative biochemistry, comparative anatomy, comparative embryology Signup and view all the answers

What does homologous mean in biology?

Same structure, may have different function Signup and view all the answers

What are homologous and vestigial structures evidence for?

Evidence for evolution Signup and view all the answers

What does analogous describe?

Structure that is NOT evidence for evolution Signup and view all the answers

What is convergent evolution?

Organisms that have similar environmental conditions needs may develop similar structures that aid in a function, not closely related Signup and view all the answers

Where did Darwin study?

Galapagos Islands Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of natural selection?

Has no goal, chance Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes selective breeding?

Purposeful Signup and view all the answers

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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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.