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There is a population of beetles found in a specific deciduous forest. A few of these beetles end up in a different deciduous forest and are able to reproduce. This causes the frequencies of alleles to change. A situation like this, when allele frequencies change due to the migration of a small subgroup of a population, is the: - ______
There is a population of beetles found in a specific deciduous forest. A few of these beetles end up in a different deciduous forest and are able to reproduce. This causes the frequencies of alleles to change. A situation like this, when allele frequencies change due to the migration of a small subgroup of a population, is the: - ______
founder effect
The relatively rapid evolution of a single species into a number of distinct but closely related species filling a variety of formerly empty ecological niches is known as - ______
The relatively rapid evolution of a single species into a number of distinct but closely related species filling a variety of formerly empty ecological niches is known as - ______
adaptive radiation
Which type of selection favors individual variations at opposite extremes of a trait over individuals with intermediate variations? - ______ selection
Which type of selection favors individual variations at opposite extremes of a trait over individuals with intermediate variations? - ______ selection
disruptive
When two or more species that are distantly related develop increasingly similar phenotypes - ______
When two or more species that are distantly related develop increasingly similar phenotypes - ______
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Over time, scientists have noticed that babies that are born at an intermediate weight are more likely to survive than babies born either much smaller or much larger than average. This phenomena can be shown in a graph depicting - ______ selection
Over time, scientists have noticed that babies that are born at an intermediate weight are more likely to survive than babies born either much smaller or much larger than average. This phenomena can be shown in a graph depicting - ______ selection
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In North America, there lives a gliding rodent (the flying squirrel). In Australia, there lives a gliding marsupial (the sugar glider), both evolved comparable adaptations due to similar selective pressures in their environments. This is an example of… - ______ evolution
In North America, there lives a gliding rodent (the flying squirrel). In Australia, there lives a gliding marsupial (the sugar glider), both evolved comparable adaptations due to similar selective pressures in their environments. This is an example of… - ______ evolution
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The driving force of evolution is - the action of natural selection upon ______
The driving force of evolution is - the action of natural selection upon ______
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Random change in allele frequency caused by a series of chance occurrences that cause an allele to become more or less common in a population is - ______
Random change in allele frequency caused by a series of chance occurrences that cause an allele to become more or less common in a population is - ______
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Genetic drift is likely to be seen in a population: - ______
Genetic drift is likely to be seen in a population: - ______
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Different species develop due to populations being divided by a barrier such as the formation of river or mountains - ______
Different species develop due to populations being divided by a barrier such as the formation of river or mountains - ______
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When a single species evolves into a number of distinct but closely related species - ______
When a single species evolves into a number of distinct but closely related species - ______
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Two very similar species, the Northern Spotted Owl and Mexican Spotted Owl are separated by the Rocky Mountains. The formation of these two different species is an example of: ______
Two very similar species, the Northern Spotted Owl and Mexican Spotted Owl are separated by the Rocky Mountains. The formation of these two different species is an example of: ______
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Study Notes
Speciation
- The process of a new species emerging is called speciation
- Speciation occurs when a population can no longer interbreed with the original population
Types of Speciation
- Allopatric speciation: different species develop due to populations being divided by a barrier such as the formation of a river or mountains
- Sympatric speciation: species divergence without a physical barrier, e.g., Hawthorn fly speciation based on a preference of egg-laying location
- Parapatric speciation: a population not divided by a natural barrier but has reduced gene flow throughout the region
Evolutionary Mechanisms
- Natural selection is the driving force of evolution, acting on beneficial mutations
- Genetic drift: random change in allele frequency caused by chance events, more likely to be seen in very small populations
- Founder effect: allele frequencies change due to the migration of a small subgroup of a population, e.g., beetles in a deciduous forest
- Genetic bottleneck: occurs when a large population is reduced to a few individuals, leading to similar genes in subsequent generations
Evolutionary Concepts
- Adaptive radiation: a single species evolves into a number of distinct but closely related species, filling a variety of formerly empty ecological niches
- Convergent evolution: distantly related species develop similar phenotypes, e.g., sharks and dolphins, or flying squirrels and sugar gliders
- Disruptive selection: favors individual variations at opposite extremes of a trait over individuals with intermediate variations
Human Evolution
- Homo habilis: characterized by small size (less than 5 feet tall), upright walking posture, meat eating, tool making, and increasing brain capacity (600-800 cm3)
Other Examples
- Leaf cutter ants and fungus: co-evolution, dependent on each other for survival
- Northern Spotted Owl and Mexican Spotted Owl: allopatric speciation, separated by the Rocky Mountains
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in evolution with this quiz. Questions cover topics like speciation, sexual selection, natural selection, genetic drift, and factors influencing the development of new species.
