Evolution Theory Quiz

Definition: The scientifically supported theory that all species of life have developed from a common ancestor through the process of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Key mechanisms:
- Natural selection: Favorable traits are more likely to be passed on to offspring, leading to adaptation and speciation.
- Genetic drift: Random events, such as mutations or changes in population size, that alter the frequency of alleles in a population.
- Mutation: Changes in DNA sequence that can result in new alleles or altered gene function.
- Gene flow: The movement of alleles from one population to another, leading to genetic exchange and increased diversity.
Evidence for evolution:
- Fossil record: Transitional fossils and gradual changes in fossil forms over time.
- Comparative anatomy and embryology: Similarities and homologies between different species.
- Molecular biology: Genetic and protein sequences that confirm evolutionary relationships.

Definition: The study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation.
Key concepts:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for an organism.
- Genes: Segments of DNA that code for specific traits or proteins.
- Alleles: Different forms of a gene that occupy the same position on a chromosome.
- Genotype: The complete set of genes an individual possesses.
- Phenotype: The physical and behavioral characteristics of an individual that result from the interaction of genotype and environment.
Mendelian inheritance:
- Laws of inheritance: Segregation, independent assortment, and dominance.
- Punnett squares: A graphical representation of the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

Definition: A community of living and non-living components that interact in a specific environment.
Key components:
- Biotic factors: Living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic factors: Non-living components, such as light, temperature, water, and nutrients.
Energy flow:
- Producers: Organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
- Consumers: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter.
- Decomposers: Organisms that break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.

Definition: The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy.
Equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
Key components:
- Chlorophyll: The green pigment that absorbs light energy.
- Chloroplasts: Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.
- Light-dependent reactions: Light energy is absorbed and converted into ATP and NADPH.
- Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle): ATP and NADPH are used to convert CO2 into glucose.

Evolution is the scientifically supported theory that all species of life have developed from a common ancestor through natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Natural selection leads to adaptation and speciation by favoring the transmission of beneficial traits to offspring.
Genetic drift causes random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population due to events like mutations or changes in population size.
Mutation introduces new alleles or alters gene function through changes in DNA sequence.
Gene flow increases genetic diversity through the movement of alleles between populations.

The fossil record shows transitional fossils and gradual changes in fossil forms over time.
Comparative anatomy and embryology reveal similarities and homologies between different species.
Molecular biology confirms evolutionary relationships through genetic and protein sequences.

Genetics is the study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation.
DNA contains the genetic instructions for an organism.
Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits or proteins.
Alleles are different forms of a gene that occupy the same position on a chromosome.
Genotype is the complete set of genes an individual possesses, while phenotype is the physical and behavioral characteristics resulting from genotype and environment interaction.

The laws of inheritance include segregation, independent assortment, and dominance.
Punnett squares graphically represent the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components that interact in a specific environment.
Biotic factors include living organisms like plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Abiotic factors include non-living components like light, temperature, water, and nutrients.

Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter.
Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy.
The equation for photosynthesis is: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs light energy.
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.
Light-dependent reactions convert light energy into ATP and NADPH.
Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) use ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.