Evolution and Genetics Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does a survivorship curve depict?

The genetic variation within a population.

The relationship between predator and prey populations.

The number of offspring produced by a population over time.

The percentage of a population that survives at different ages. (correct)

Which of the following is a characteristic of r-selected species?

Long lifespan and slow reproduction

Few offspring with high parental investment

High reproduction rate and short lifespan (correct)

Stable populations that reach carrying capacity

What is sympatric speciation?

A gradual process of speciation over millions of years.

Speciation that occurs without geographic isolation, often due to reproductive barriers. (correct)

Speciation that occurs through polyploidy in plants.

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated.

In a cladogram, what does a node represent?

The common ancestor of the organisms depicted. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between proximate and ultimate causes of behavior?

Proximate causes refer to the immediate triggers of behavior, while ultimate causes refer to the evolutionary reasons for behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of learned behavior?

A dog learning to sit on command. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adaptations is necessary for plants to survive on land?

A waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary growth in plants?

Growth that occurs in the roots and stems through the elongation of cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

It absorbs sunlight and uses it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. Signup and view all the answers

Which process is most likely to increase genetic diversity in a population?

Mutation Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes artificial selection from natural selection?

Artificial selection is guided by humans, whereas natural selection occurs without human intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What is a vestigial structure?

A structure that has lost its original function over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies directional selection?

The increase in beak size in a population of birds during a period of drought. Signup and view all the answers

How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

Meiosis results in the formation of four non-identical cells, while mitosis results in two identical cells. Signup and view all the answers

What term best describes an organism's genetic makeup?

Genotype Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic drift?

A random change in allele frequencies due to chance events, especially in small populations. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a keystone species in an ecosystem?

A species that has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolution and Mechanisms of Evolution

Genetic diversity increase: Mutation is most likely to increase genetic diversity in a population.
Artificial vs. Natural Selection: Artificial selection is guided by humans, while natural selection occurs without human intervention.
Vestigial Structure: A vestigial structure is a structure that has lost its original function over time.
Directional Selection: An increase in beak size in a bird population during a drought is an example of directional selection.

Genetics and Population Evolution

Meiosis vs. Mitosis: Meiosis results in four non-identical daughter cells, while mitosis results in two identical cells.
Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genotype describes an organism's genetic makeup, whereas phenotype describes its observable characteristics.
Genetic Drift: Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies due to chance events, particularly prominent in small populations.

Ecology

Keystone Species: A keystone species has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.
Survivorship Curve: A survivorship curve depicts the percentage of a population that survives at different ages.
r-selected Species: r-selected species are characterized by high reproduction rates and short lifespans.

Speciation and Phylogeny

Sympatric Speciation: Sympatric speciation occurs without geographic isolation; often due to reproductive barriers.
Cladogram Node: In a cladogram, a node represents the common ancestor of the organisms depicted.

Behavioral Ecology

Proximate vs. Ultimate Causes: Proximate causes refer to the immediate triggers of behavior, while ultimate causes refer to the evolutionary reasons.
Learned Behavior: An example of a learned behavior is a dog learning to sit on command.

Plant Biology and Photosynthesis

Plant Adaptation to Land: Plants require a waxy cuticle to prevent water loss to survive on land.
Primary Growth: Primary growth in plants involves cell elongation in roots and stems.
Chlorophyll's Role: Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose during photosynthesis

True or False

Sexual Selection: Sexual selection is a form of natural selection that improves an individual's mating chances (True).
Fungi: Fungi are not autotrophic; they are heterotrophic (False).
Allopatric Speciation: Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated (True).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of evolution and genetics, including mechanisms like natural and artificial selection. Explore the differences between meiosis and mitosis, and understand genetic diversity and drift. This comprehensive quiz covers important topics in both evolutionary biology and ecology.