Evolution Definitions Quiz

Definitions

• Hypothesis: A general statement about species evolution.
• Scientific Method: A process for acquiring knowledge, involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and data analysis.
• Evolutionary Synthesis: Combines Darwin's natural selection with Mendelian genetics, emphasizing mutation's role in providing genetic variation.
• Catastrophism: Attributes Earth's changes to supernatural forces, rather than evolution.
• Macroevolution: Long-term evolutionary patterns over geological time, including speciation.
• Microevolution: Genetic changes within a population over time, explaining adaptation.
• Uniformitarianism: Past processes resemble present processes.
• Lamarckism: Organisms inherit acquired traits.
• Natural Selection: A driving force of evolution where advantageous traits enhance survival and reproduction.
• Genes: Genetic material holding evolutionary information, analyzed by anthropologists.
• Alleles: Variant forms of a gene, arising from mutation and affecting traits.
• Phenotype: Observable traits influenced by genes and environment.
• Prokaryotes: Single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotes: Organisms with membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus.
• Codominance: Both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed.
• Haploid Cell: A cell with one set of chromosomes, found in gametes.
• Diploid Cell: A cell with two sets of chromosomes, found in somatic cells.
• Recombination: Rearranges DNA segments, increasing genetic diversity during meiosis.
• Directional Selection: Favors one extreme phenotype, leading to shifts in the population.
• Stabilizing Selection: Favors average traits, opposing disruptive selection.
• Disruptive Selection: Favors extreme traits over the average, driving populations apart.
• Gene Pool: The collective genetic information in a population.
• Gene Flow: Transfer of genes between populations through migration and breeding.
• Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies in small populations.
• Founder Effect: Genetic changes when a small population isolates from a larger one.
• Reproductive Isolation: Mechanisms preventing interbreeding between species.
• Convergent Evolution: Similar traits evolve independently in different species.
• Mutation: Permanent changes in genetic material.
• Endogamous: Mating within a specific group.
• Exogamous: Mating outside of a specific group.

Concepts

• Four Classic Subfields of Anthropology: Cultural, Archaeological, Biological, Linguistic.
• Additional Subfields: Developmental & Environmental Anthropology, Applied Anthropology.
• Six Unique Human Features: Speech, Upright posture, Nakedness, Clothing, Bipedalism, Non-honing chewing.
• Four Forces of Evolution: Mutation, Gene flow, Genetic drift, Natural selection.
• Five Fields Contributing to Darwin's Theory: Geology, Paleontology, Taxonomy, Demography, Evolutionary Biology.
• Mendel's Contributions: Father of genetics, founded modern understanding of heredity.
• Significance of Uniformitarianism: Past geological processes are the same as today's.
• Significance of Malthus's Work: Explores the dynamics between populations and environments.
• Mendelian Inheritance: Principles of trait transmission from parents to offspring.
• Rosalind Franklin's Contributions: Crucial X-ray diffraction images for DNA structure.
• Significance of Hox Genes: Determine body plan development in animals.
• Significance of Regulatory Genes: Control gene expression.
• DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis: DNA holds genetic info; RNA mediates protein synthesis.
• Natural Selection Function: Traits favoring survival and reproduction become more common.
• Peppered Moth Example: Illustrates natural selection in response to environmental change.
• Impact of Mutations in Evolution: Mutations in gametes are most significant.
• Somatic Cells vs. Gametes: Somatic cells are body cells; gametes are sex cells.
• Law of Independent Assortment: Genes are inherited independently.
• Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during gamete formation.
• Blood Type Example: Codominance and polymorphism.
• Lamarck's Contribution: First cohesive evolution theory, with environmental adaptation.
• Environment in Biological Anthropology: External factors influencing growth, development, and behavior.
• Significance of Darwin's Finches: Supporting evidence for natural selection and speciation.
• Mitosis vs. Meiosis: Mitosis creates identical cells, meiosis creates unique ones.
• Essential Amino Acids: Amino acids required by the body but not produced.
• Evolution and Life History: Influencing factors like longevity and brain size.
• Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Understanding population genetics and genetic diversity.
• Sickle-Cell Anemia and Fitness: Shows relationships between disease and evolutionary processes.