Evolution - General Overview

Changes in an organism's physical traits caused by environmental factors, but not passed down to offspring.

The observable traits of an organism, including physical, physiological, and behavioral aspects.

Evolution is not about becoming 'better' overall, but rather adapting to the current surroundings.

Evolution requires genetic differences within a population for natural selection to act upon.

The success of any organism depends on the interactions with other organisms in its environment.

Evolution is not a one-way street; organisms can modify their environment to suit their needs.

Species can move to different locations with suitable environments.

Organisms can live in specific, smaller areas within their environment.

A change in a gene, creating new genetic variations.

The process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully.

Different versions of the same gene. Like a recipe for a cookie that can be made with different types of flour.

Having two copies of each gene, one from each parent.

The location of a gene on a chromosome.

Having two identical alleles for a gene.

Having two different alleles for a gene.

The non-random association of alleles of different genes. Like certain ingredients always being found together in a recipe.

The idea that seemingly altruistic behaviors in animals are actually driven by self-interest, where cooperation and helping benefit the individual in the long run.

The ability of an individual to pass on its genes to the next generation through its own reproduction.

The ability of an individual to pass on its genes to the next generation by helping its genetically related relatives reproduce.

The sum of an individual's direct fitness and indirect fitness, representing the overall contribution of its genes to the next generation.

A social system where individuals within a colony or group have specialized roles, with some individuals sacrificing their own reproduction to help others reproduce.

A group of individuals that are sterile and do not reproduce themselves, but instead focus on assisting the reproductive efforts of others in the colony.

The process by which traits or behaviors that enhance an individual's inclusive fitness, including both direct and indirect fitness, are more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations.

The principle that helping relatives reproduce increases the likelihood of an individual's own genes being passed on, due to the shared genetic material.

A phenomenon where a population can be stuck in a less optimal state due to barriers to reaching a better state, even though the better state exists.

The gradual accumulation of small changes through natural selection, leading to significant evolutionary transformations.

A trait whose original function was different from its current use, like feathers evolving for insulation before being used for flight.

The ability of a structure or behavior to be useful in its intermediate stages of evolution, making gradual development possible.

The concept that natural selection acts only on the current environment, promoting adaptations for immediate survival, not future predictions.

The idea that natural selection can only push populations towards the nearest optimal state, not necessarily the absolute best possible state.

A hypothetical combination of alleles that would produce the best possible traits for a population in a given environment.

A theory that proposes that certain traits become more common in species through the process of natural selection, where species with traits better suited for their environment survive and reproduce more successfully. This is akin to a tree's growth being influenced by the environment.

A theory that suggests that the rate of evolution is not constant, but rather characterized by periods of rapid change punctuated by long periods of relative stability.

The branch of biology that studies the relationships between species and groups of species.

The process of evolution that occurs within a population, driven by changes in allele frequencies due to factors like mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. This is like the recipe for a dish changing with the ingredients.

The evolutionary process that occurs over long periods of time and encompasses large-scale changes, such as the origin of new species. This is like the entire recipe changing, leading to a completely different dish.

RNA that can act as an enzyme and catalyze reactions. Imagine a molecule that can both store information and perform actions.

The process by which RNA is synthesized from a DNA template. This is like copying a recipe on a notecard onto a new piece of paper.

The process by which a protein is synthesized from an RNA template. This is like using a recipe to make a dish.

A type of natural selection where traits that increase an organism's chances of mating, even if they decrease survival, are favored.

Traits that are a liability for survival, such as bright colors, elaborate displays, or noisy calls, can still evolve if they increase mating success.

The idea that females choose mates based on traits indicating good health and genetic quality, leading to the evolution of extravagant displays in males.

The hypothesis that female preference for certain traits can drive the evolution of these traits in males, even if they have no other fitness benefits.

A process where a trait becomes more exaggerated over time due to a positive feedback loop between female preference and male display.

Distinct differences in physical appearance between males and females of the same species, often driven by sexual selection.

Competition between males for mates can occur through direct physical confrontations or by displaying attractive traits and behaviors to impress females.

Females prefer males with more exaggerated traits, such as brighter colors or more elaborate displays, because they may indicate good genes or some other advantage.