Evolutionary Biology Concepts Quiz

Reproductive barriers preventing fertilization, either by hindering mating attempts or preventing fertilization itself.

Reproductive barriers reducing the survival or reproductive success of hybrid offspring.

Barriers preventing interbreeding between species, leading to the formation of new species.

Defines species as groups that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature.

Species defined by similar physical characteristics.

Different habitats prevent interactions between members of the same species.

Reproducing at different times prevents interbreeding.

Different courtship rituals isolate species.

Adaptations that lead to incorrect conclusions about the relationship between a trait and its environment.

Demonstrate the trait's function in increasing fitness within a specific environment.

Correlates trait differences among species with variation in a presumed selective agent.

A method of evaluating adaptation by swapping environments of groups to see how they fare.

Measure how favorable traits increase in frequency due to their advantage.

Adaptations don't need to be intricate; natural selection can create complex ones.

Complex adaptations can arise through incremental, advantageous steps.

Existing structures or pathways can be repurposed for new functions during adaptation.

Speciation driven by ecological factors, like different environments or resources.

Reproductive isolation that occurs after the formation of a hybrid zygote.

Classifying organisms and studying their evolutionary relationships through taxonomy and phylogenetics.

The science of naming and classifying organisms.

The study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Similar traits shared by organisms due to a common ancestor.

Similar traits found in organisms from different lineages due to similar environments.

Cartilaginous or fibrous structures supporting gills for respiration in early vertebrates.

The first pair of gill arches evolved into jaws, while the second pair became middle ear bones in jawed vertebrates.

Structures enabling gas exchange in fish, but evolved out in land animals.

Limbs with digits supporting the body against gravity and enabling walking or crawling.

A skeleton designed to resist gravity and hold the body upright, transferring weight from limbs to the rest of the body.

Lung development allowed for breathing air and adapting to low-oxygen water environments.

Keratinized skin protects tetrapods from drying out, reducing water loss and aiding cutaneous respiration.

A tympanum (eardrum) and middle ear allow tetrapods to hear airborne sounds, providing crucial information about their surroundings.

Plant growth where the main stem continuously elongates without a defined end point, allowing for adaptation to resources and environmental changes.

Benefits include increased survival and reproduction, flexibility in responding to stress (phenotypic plasticity), and greater competitive edge. It also allows for varying growth and maturation times depending on environment.

An evolutionary trend towards a smaller, less independent gametophyte generation in plants. The sporophyte generation (diploid) becomes dominant.

The number of chromosome sets in a plant's somatic cells, indicating the level of genetic material.

Polyploid plants (multiple chromosome sets) tend to have larger cells, leading to larger overall plant size in leaves, stems, roots, and flowers.

The presence of specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) that transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant, supporting growth and long-distance communication.

The production of two different-sized spores within the same plant, leading to greater reproductive success and variability.

Larger spores (megaspores) develop into female gametophytes, producing eggs, while smaller spores (microspores) develop into male gametophytes, producing sperm.

The clade encompassing all four-limbed vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Key features include limbs with digits, a sturdier skeleton with a pelvic and pectoral girdle, a neck allowing head mobility, and lungs for breathing.

An extinct group within Tetrapoda that had limbs with digits adapted specifically for terrestrial locomotion. They were the first vertebrates to successfully transition to life on land.

A clade of vertebrates characterized by the amniotic egg, which provides a protective and nourishing environment for the embryo, allowing them to reproduce away from water. Other key features include waterproof skin, internal fertilization, and efficient kidneys.

A clade that includes reptiles, birds, and dinosaurs. Key features include endothermy – maintaining a stable internal body temperature – and a highly efficient respiratory system, which allows for higher metabolic rates and energy requirements for flight or other physically demanding activities.

Tetrapods evolved a sturdier skeleton with limbs with digits and pelvic and pectoral girdles to support their weight on land and overcome the force of gravity.

To prevent water loss in a drier environment, tetrapods developed keratinized skin for waterproofing, the amniotic egg for embryonic development, and efficient kidneys for water retention.

Tetrapods evolved lungs, a rib cage, and a diaphragm to efficiently extract oxygen from the air and allow for gas exchange.

A feature or trait that originally evolved for one purpose, but later became co-opted for a different function. For example, feathers in birds initially evolved for insulation but were later adapted for flight.