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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the fundamental difference between natural and artificial selection?
Which of the following best describes the fundamental difference between natural and artificial selection?
- Natural selection occurs rapidly, while artificial selection is a much slower process.
- Natural selection involves primarily physical traits, whereas artificial selection involves behavioral traits.
- Natural selection always leads to increased biodiversity, whereas artificial selection reduces it.
- Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human preferences. (correct)
How does migration primarily contribute to evolutionary change within populations?
How does migration primarily contribute to evolutionary change within populations?
- By creating new environmental pressures that force species to adapt rapidly.
- By introducing entirely new species into an ecosystem.
- By increasing the mutation rate within a population's gene pool.
- By facilitating gene flow between previously isolated populations, altering allele frequencies. (correct)
Genetic drift has a more pronounced effect on small populations because:
Genetic drift has a more pronounced effect on small populations because:
- Small populations are more likely to experience significant environmental changes.
- Random events have a proportionally larger impact on allele frequencies in smaller gene pools. (correct)
- Small populations have a reduced capacity for genetic mutations.
- Individuals in small populations tend to have higher rates of reproduction.
Why are mutations in sperm and egg cells evolutionarily significant compared to mutations in other cells?
Why are mutations in sperm and egg cells evolutionarily significant compared to mutations in other cells?
If mutations are random, how can natural selection produce organisms that appear well-suited to their environments?
If mutations are random, how can natural selection produce organisms that appear well-suited to their environments?
Which of the following is the correct sequence of Darwin's four key observations that describe the process of natural selection?
Which of the following is the correct sequence of Darwin's four key observations that describe the process of natural selection?
Why is it inaccurate to state that evolution explains the origin of life?
Why is it inaccurate to state that evolution explains the origin of life?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of adaptation in an evolutionary context?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of adaptation in an evolutionary context?
In evolutionary terms, why is the number of offspring an organism produces a crucial aspect of its fitness?
In evolutionary terms, why is the number of offspring an organism produces a crucial aspect of its fitness?
During sexual reproduction, how does genetic shuffling contribute to evolution?
During sexual reproduction, how does genetic shuffling contribute to evolution?
Which of the following is NOT one of the primary factors that allows evolution to occur in a population?
Which of the following is NOT one of the primary factors that allows evolution to occur in a population?
How do beneficial mutations play a role in the process of natural selection?
How do beneficial mutations play a role in the process of natural selection?
A mutation that has neither a positive nor a negative effect on an organism's survival or reproduction is best described as:
A mutation that has neither a positive nor a negative effect on an organism's survival or reproduction is best described as:
Other than genetic shuffling, which of the following can directly cause mutations in an organism’s DNA?
Other than genetic shuffling, which of the following can directly cause mutations in an organism’s DNA?
Why is it incorrect to view evolution as a process that strives to create 'perfect' species?
Why is it incorrect to view evolution as a process that strives to create 'perfect' species?
In a population of plants, what resources might individuals compete for?
In a population of plants, what resources might individuals compete for?
Mutations happen regardless of environmental conditions; however, selective pressures determine if they are useful. In this case mutations are best described as:
Mutations happen regardless of environmental conditions; however, selective pressures determine if they are useful. In this case mutations are best described as:
Could a mutation be harmful in one environment but helpful in another? Select the best answer.
Could a mutation be harmful in one environment but helpful in another? Select the best answer.
Looking at the bones in a birds wing and comparing them to the bones in a human arm is an example of:
Looking at the bones in a birds wing and comparing them to the bones in a human arm is an example of:
If two species have similar looking structures but do not share a recent common ancestor, this is an example of:
If two species have similar looking structures but do not share a recent common ancestor, this is an example of:
Flashcards
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
Environmental factors drive this type of selection
Artificial Selection
Artificial Selection
Human intervention drives this type of selection.
Migration (as Evolution)
Migration (as Evolution)
Movement of genes between populations, changes traits over time.
Genetic Drift
Genetic Drift
Traits change by chance, more common in small groups, not tied to survival benefits.
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Mutations
Mutations
Changes in DNA, in cells, can be passed down if in sperm or egg cells.
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Natural Selection
Natural Selection
When organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce more, passing on those traits.
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Darwin's 4 Steps
Darwin's 4 Steps
Variation, competition, survival, reproduction lead to species change.
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Evolution
Evolution
Process where species change over time through small inherited changes.
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Adaptation
Adaptation
Change over time for better survival in an environment.
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Fitness
Fitness
How well an organism survives and reproduces.
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Genetic Shuffling
Genetic Shuffling
Genes mix up during reproduction, creating different traits.
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Detrimental Mutations
Detrimental Mutations
DNA changes that make it harder to survive or reproduce.
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Beneficial Mutations
Beneficial Mutations
DNA changes that help an organism survive better or reproduce more.
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Neutral Mutations
Neutral Mutations
DNA changes that don’t affect survival or reproduction.
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Competition Resources
Competition Resources
Food, space, mates, shelter are resources populations compete for.
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Comparative Anatomy
Comparative Anatomy
Comparing body parts of different animals.
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Speciation
Speciation
New species forms from an existing one.
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Geographic Isolation
Geographic Isolation
Physical barrier separates a population, leading to new species.
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Stabilizing Selection
Stabilizing Selection
Selection favors average traits, extremes are selected against.
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Directional Selection
Directional Selection
One extreme trait is favored, shift towards that trait.
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- Natural selection is driven by environmental factors, while artificial selection is driven by human intervention.
Migration
- Migration causes evolution by moving genes between populations and changing traits over time.
Genetic Drift
- Genetic drift is when traits change by chance, particularly in small groups, not because they aid survival.
Mutations
- Mutations occur in DNA inside cells; only those in sperm or egg cells are heritable.
- Mutations happen randomly during DNA copying, cell division, or due to radiation and chemicals.
- Mutations are random mistakes in DNA, while natural selection is not random because it preserves helpful traits and removes harmful ones.
Natural Selection
- Natural selection is when organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on and changing a population.
Darwin’s 4 Steps
- Variation: Populations have different traits.
- Competition: Organisms vie for resources.
- Survival: Helpful traits increase survival rates.
- Reproduction: Survivors pass on helpful traits.
Evolution Definition
- Evolution is the process where species change over time through small, heritable changes in traits.
- Evolution doesn’t explain the origin of life, but how life changes.
Adaptation
- Adaptation is when an organism changes over time to better survive in its environment.
Fitness
- Fitness is how well an organism survives and reproduces; having more offspring indicates better fitness.
- A man with 3 children has better fitness than a man with none because he has passed on his genes.
Genetic Shuffling
- Genetic shuffling is when genes mix during reproduction, leading to varied traits in offspring.
Causes of Evolution
- Evolution occurs due to genetic variation, mutations, natural selection, and genetic drift, leading to changes in a population.
Mutations
- Detrimental mutations harm an organism, reducing its survival or reproduction.
- Beneficial mutations help an organism survive or reproduce more, providing an advantage.
- Neutral mutations have little to no effect on an organism’s survival or reproduction.
Causes of Mutations
- Mutations can be caused by: -Radiation (UV rays or X-rays) -Chemicals (cigarette smoke or toxins) -DNA copying errors -Viruses inserting DNA
Evolution Aim
- Evolution isn’t about perfecting a species, but about adapting for better survival.
Competition
- Individuals in a population compete for food, space, mates, and shelter.
Phenotype
- The phenotype is an organism's physical traits, like hair or skin color.
Genotype
- The genotype is an organism's genes.
Mutations and Selective Pressures
- Mutations are random, but the environment determines which are helpful.
- Mutations can be advantageous in specific environments, depending on the selective pressures present.
Comparative Anatomy
- Comparative anatomy involves comparing body parts of different animals to find similarities and differences.
Homologous vs Analogous Structures
- Homologous structures are similar due to common ancestry. Analogous structures look similar and perform similar jobs but do not share a recent ancestor.
Embryology
- Embryology studies organism development from fertilized egg to fully formed individual.
Vertebrates
- Vertebrates are animals with a backbone, like humans, birds, fish, and mammals.
Fossils
- Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
Fossil Record
- The fossil record comprises all discovered fossils, illustrating the history of life on Earth.
Speciation
- Speciation is the process of new species forming from existing ones.
Geographic Isolation
- Geographic isolation is when a physical barrier separates a population, potentially leading to new species.
Founder Effect
- The founder effect is when a small group starts a new population, emphasizing their genetic traits.
Sympatric Speciation
- Sympatric speciation is when a new species forms within the same area due to behavior or food preferences.
Allopatric Speciation
- Allopatric speciation occurs when a population is geographically isolated, leading to distinct species.
Germline Mutations
- Germline mutations occur in reproductive cells and are heritable.
Somatic Mutations
- Somatic mutations occur in body cells and are not heritable.
Mutation Randomness
- Mutations happen randomly.
Natural Selection Randomness
- Natural selection is not random.
Mutation Contribution
- Not all mutations contribute to evolution.
Stabilizing Selection
- Stabilizing selection favors average traits.
Stabilizing Selection Example
Human birth weight.
Directional Selection
- Directional selection favors one extreme trait.
Directional Selection Example
- Giraffe neck length.
Disruptive Selection
- Disruptive selection favors both extremes of a trait.
Disruptive Selection Example
- Bird beak size.
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