Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which concept describes the competition among members of a species for limited resources?
Which concept describes the competition among members of a species for limited resources?
- Struggle for existence (correct)
- Descent with modification
- Natural selection
- Genetic drift
What is the term for the mechanism by which advantageous traits become more common?
What is the term for the mechanism by which advantageous traits become more common?
- Genetic drift
- Natural selection (correct)
- Selective breeding
- Descent with modification
Which of the following best defines 'fitness' in an evolutionary context?
Which of the following best defines 'fitness' in an evolutionary context?
- The ability to adapt to new conditions
- Success at surviving and reproducing in an environment (correct)
- The genetic diversity of a population
- The size of a population
What does a cladogram primarily show about organisms?
What does a cladogram primarily show about organisms?
What does the term 'LUCA' refer to?
What does the term 'LUCA' refer to?
Which scientist is best known for the concept of punctuated equilibrium?
Which scientist is best known for the concept of punctuated equilibrium?
Which term describes the process where unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures?
Which term describes the process where unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures?
What is the term for when a parasite lives on or inside another organism, causing harm?
What is the term for when a parasite lives on or inside another organism, causing harm?
Which of the following best describes the concept of temporal isolation?
Which of the following best describes the concept of temporal isolation?
The concept that a population grows faster than the food supply was postulated by which scientist, influencing Darwin’s theory of evolution?
The concept that a population grows faster than the food supply was postulated by which scientist, influencing Darwin’s theory of evolution?
What is the evolutionary process that results in the diversification of a species into numerous forms to fit different niches?
What is the evolutionary process that results in the diversification of a species into numerous forms to fit different niches?
Which theory suggests that physical changes acquired by an organism during its lifetime can be passed down to its offspring?
Which theory suggests that physical changes acquired by an organism during its lifetime can be passed down to its offspring?
What is the process where populations are physically separated by geographic barriers, causing interrupted gene flow, called?
What is the process where populations are physically separated by geographic barriers, causing interrupted gene flow, called?
What is radioactive dating used to determine?
What is radioactive dating used to determine?
Which of the following is an example of a homologous structure?
Which of the following is an example of a homologous structure?
Flashcards
Descent with Modification
Descent with Modification
A process where traits are passed from generation to generation with changes. Natural selection favors those modifications that increase survival and reproduction.
Fitness
Fitness
The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment. More fit organisms leave more offspring.
Struggle for Existence
Struggle for Existence
The competition between organisms for limited resources like food, water, and mates. This drives natural selection.
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
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Cladogram
Cladogram
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Gradualism equilibrium
Gradualism equilibrium
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Punctuated equilibrium
Punctuated equilibrium
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Coevolution
Coevolution
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Adaptive radiation
Adaptive radiation
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Mass extinction
Mass extinction
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Competition
Competition
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Predation
Predation
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Theory of natural selection
Theory of natural selection
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Out of Africa hypothesis
Out of Africa hypothesis
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Agricultural revolution
Agricultural revolution
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Study Notes
Key Principles of Evolution
- Descent with Modification: A process where traits are passed through generations, leading to variations.
- Fitness: Success in surviving and reproducing in an environment. Natural selection either eliminates or favors variations based on this.
- Struggle for Existence: Competition for limited resources within a population.
Processes of Evolution
- Natural Selection: A mechanism where advantageous traits become more common in a population.
- Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies, primarily in small populations.
- Selective Breeding: Human-induced selection in agriculture and domestication.
- LUCA: Last Universal Common Ancestor
Cladograms and Phylogenetic Trees
- Cladograms: Show relationships between organisms based on shared characteristics (non-genetic).
- Phylogenetic Trees: Illustrate evolutionary history based on genetic data (DNA).
- Reading Cladograms/Phylogenetic Trees: To interpret, locate the start point, follow the main line through time, and analyze branching points to determine the development of characteristics.
Scientific Contributions
- Darwin: Proposed that species change over time, new species originate from existing ones, and all species share a common ancestor.
- Lamarck: Hypothesized that physical changes acquired during an organism's lifetime can be inherited.
- Malthus: Noted that population growth outpaces resource availability.
- Wallace: Contributed to the understanding of natural selection.
- Wegener: Proposed continental drift.
- Dobzhansky: Emphasized the relationship between genetics and evolution.
- Margulis: Developed the endosymbiotic theory (explaining the origin of organelles).
- Gould: Proposed punctuated equilibrium (a model of evolutionary change).
Theory of Natural Selection
- Competition: Rivalry for resources, mates, and territory.
- Predation: One organism hunting another.
- Climate Change: Impacts populations.
- Parasitism: One organism living off another in a harmful manner.
- Pollution: Affects organisms' health and survival.
- Selective Pressure: Favored traits in a given environment get passed down more.
- Geographic Isolation: Physical barriers separate populations.
- Temporal Isolation: Reproductively isolated due to differing mating times.
- Behavioral Isolation: Different behaviors impede reproduction.
- Gradualism: Slow, continuous evolution.
- Punctuated Equilibrium: Periods of rapid evolutionary change punctuated by periods of stability.
- Convergent Evolution: Unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.
- Divergent Evolution: Related species diverge due to different environmental pressures.
- Coevolution: Two species evolve in response to each other.
- Adaptive Radiation: A single species diversifies into many new ones.
- Mass Extinction: Significant loss of species.
- Evolutionary Arms Race: Continuous adaptation and counter-adaptation between competing species.
- Fossil Records: Evidence of past life forms.
- Radioactive Dating: Used to determine the age of fossils.
- Comparative Embryology: Studies similarities in embryonic development to see evolutionary patterns.
- Homologous Structures: Similar structures with shared ancestry.
- Analogous Structures: Similar functions but different ancestry.
- Out of Africa Hypothesis: Model of human origins and migration.
- Agricultural Revolution: Farming techniques led to population growth.
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