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Questions and Answers
A population of butterflies exhibits variation in wing color, with some being bright orange and others a dull brown. Birds prey on the butterflies, and the bright orange ones are easier to spot. Over time, the butterfly population shifts towards a higher proportion of dull brown individuals. Which evolutionary mechanism is primarily responsible for this change?
A population of butterflies exhibits variation in wing color, with some being bright orange and others a dull brown. Birds prey on the butterflies, and the bright orange ones are easier to spot. Over time, the butterfly population shifts towards a higher proportion of dull brown individuals. Which evolutionary mechanism is primarily responsible for this change?
- Genetic drift, leading to random changes in allele frequencies.
- Gene flow, as butterflies with dull brown wings migrate into the population.
- Mutation, introducing new color variations in the butterfly population.
- Natural selection, favoring the dull brown coloration due to increased survival. (correct)
A farmer uses a new pesticide to control an insect population on their crops. Initially, the pesticide is very effective, killing nearly all the insects. However, after several generations, the insect population rebounds, and the pesticide is no longer as effective. What is the most likely explanation for this phenomenon?
A farmer uses a new pesticide to control an insect population on their crops. Initially, the pesticide is very effective, killing nearly all the insects. However, after several generations, the insect population rebounds, and the pesticide is no longer as effective. What is the most likely explanation for this phenomenon?
- The pesticide caused the insects to actively evolve resistance to the chemical.
- The pesticide altered the insects' DNA, causing them to become immune to its effects.
- A few insects in the original population possessed a mutation that conferred resistance to the pesticide, and they reproduced, passing on the trait. (correct)
- The insects learned to avoid the pesticide through behavioral adaptations.
Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
- The wings of a bat and the arms of a human.
- The streamlined body shape of a dolphin and a shark.
- The colorful petals of a flower.
- The appendix in humans. (correct)
Two species of plants, though distantly related, both evolve succulent leaves and thick cuticles to survive in a desert environment. Which pattern of evolution does this exemplify?
Two species of plants, though distantly related, both evolve succulent leaves and thick cuticles to survive in a desert environment. Which pattern of evolution does this exemplify?
Bees pollinate flowers, and flowers provide nectar to bees. Over time, flower shape evolves to better match bee body shape, and bee tongue length evolves to better reach nectar. What evolutionary process is this an example of?
Bees pollinate flowers, and flowers provide nectar to bees. Over time, flower shape evolves to better match bee body shape, and bee tongue length evolves to better reach nectar. What evolutionary process is this an example of?
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of adaptation?
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of adaptation?
A population of lizards is split into two by a large canyon. Over time, the two populations evolve into distinct species due to the different environmental conditions on either side of the canyon. This is an example of:
A population of lizards is split into two by a large canyon. Over time, the two populations evolve into distinct species due to the different environmental conditions on either side of the canyon. This is an example of:
Which of the following provides molecular evidence for evolution?
Which of the following provides molecular evidence for evolution?
A group of islands has several different species of finches. All the finches evolved from a single common ancestor. Different species have beaks of different shapes and sizes, which allows them to utilize different food sources. Which evolutionary process best describes this scenario?
A group of islands has several different species of finches. All the finches evolved from a single common ancestor. Different species have beaks of different shapes and sizes, which allows them to utilize different food sources. Which evolutionary process best describes this scenario?
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of natural selection?
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of natural selection?
Flashcards
Evolution
Evolution
The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations, leading to diversity at all levels of biological organization.
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
A mechanism of evolution where organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing these traits to the next generation.
Adaptation
Adaptation
The process where populations evolve to become better suited to their environment through natural selection.
Mutation
Mutation
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Gene Flow
Gene Flow
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Genetic Drift
Genetic Drift
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Analogous Structures
Analogous Structures
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Vestigial Structures
Vestigial Structures
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Divergent Evolution
Divergent Evolution
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Convergent Evolution
Convergent Evolution
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Study Notes
- Evolution is the alteration in the heritable traits of biological populations across generations
- Evolutionary processes lead to diversity at all levels of biological structure
- Diversity includes species, individual organisms, and molecules
Natural Selection
- Natural selection serves as an evolutionary mechanism
- Organisms possessing favorable traits tend to have higher survival and reproduction rates
- These advantageous traits are heritable and are passed down
- Over time, populations become more suited to their environments through this mechanism
- There is variation within populations with individuals displaying different traits
- Inheritance signifies the passage of traits from parents to offspring
- Selection takes place when particular traits provide a survival or reproductive advantage
- Adaptation occurs through differential survival and reproduction
- Adaptation enables populations to evolve to better match their habitat
Adaptation Mechanisms
- Mutation involves a random change in the DNA sequence
- Mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or have no effect
- Gene flow refers to the movement of genes between populations
- Genetic drift is the random fluctuation in allele frequencies
- Non-random mating influences genotype frequencies
Evidence of Evolution
- The fossil record demonstrates change over time
- Fossils offer a chronological view of life on Earth
- Comparative anatomy reveals resemblances and differences among organisms
- Homologous structures suggest a shared ancestry
- Analogous structures have comparable functions but different origins
- Vestigial structures are residual features from previous evolutionary phases
- Embryology highlights similarities in early development
- Molecular biology involves comparing sequences of DNA and proteins
- Biogeography examines the distribution of species across geographic areas
- Evolutionary change can be directly seen, such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Patterns of Evolution
- Divergent evolution is when species evolve differently from a shared ancestor due to varied environmental pressures
- Adaptive radiation involves the quick diversification of numerous species from a single ancestor, often when new ecological niches arise
- Convergent evolution is when unrelated species independently acquire similar traits, frequently due to comparable environmental pressures
- Parallel evolution is when related species evolve similarly and independently
- Coevolution is when two species evolve in relation to each other, commonly seen in symbiotic interactions
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