STAAR Category #3 - Biological Evolution

Questions and Answers

What is the fossil record?

A collection of different fossils, from simple to complex organisms.

What does biogeography study?

Geographic distribution of organisms.

What are anatomical homologies?

Structural similarities.

What are molecular homologies?

Molecular similarities among organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are developmental homologies?

Embryonic similarities among organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fossil record definition?

Timeline that shows the evolution of life. Signup and view all the answers

What is gradualism?

When species gradually change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is punctuated equilibrium?

When organisms experience little changes, but eventually large ones. Signup and view all the answers

What is a population in biological terms?

A group of individuals of the same species who interbreed. Signup and view all the answers

What is an adaptation?

A variation that makes an organism more successful in its environment. Signup and view all the answers

What creates variation in organisms?

The process of meiosis. Signup and view all the answers

What is fitness in the context of evolution?

An organism's ability to reproduce in its environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

A process in which organisms with adaptations best suited to their environments will survive. Signup and view all the answers

What is directional selection?

One trait has an advantage over the others. Signup and view all the answers

What is stabilizing selection?

A middle ground of traits is advantageous. Signup and view all the answers

What is disruptive selection?

Both extremes bring advantage, moderate ones don't. Signup and view all the answers

What is inherited variation?

Genetic differences among organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What causes variation?

Mutations, crossing over, and migration. Signup and view all the answers

What are two components of inherited variation?

Phenotypes and genotypes. Signup and view all the answers

What is inherited variation definition?

When inherited traits are favored. Signup and view all the answers

What is over reproduction?

With more offspring, there are higher chances that those organisms will reach a reproductive age. Signup and view all the answers

What does limited supply of environmental resources refer to?

Organisms compete for resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolution?

The process through which species change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theory of natural selection?

Organisms who are better fit for their environments will survive and have more fitness. Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic drift?

Change in the gene pool by chance or luck. Signup and view all the answers

What is gene flow?

Change in gene pool due to the migration of organisms in and out of the population. Signup and view all the answers

What is mutation?

Change in the genetic pool caused by genetic processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is recombination?

An increase of genetic variation through 'crossing over'. Signup and view all the answers

What is taxonomy?

The study of the classification of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the taxonomy classification system?

Carolus Linnaeus. Signup and view all the answers

What is binomial nomenclature?

System of naming an organism using its genus and species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first word of classification?

Genus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second word of classification?

Species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a species?

A group of organisms that can breed or reproduce with one another and produce fertile offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mnemonic 'Did King Phillip Come Over For Great Soup' represent?

Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cladogram?

Shows the evolutionary relationships among species and how they change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dichotomous key?

Determines the identity of a single organism. Signup and view all the answers

What is an autotroph/producer?

Organism that makes its own food. Signup and view all the answers

What is a heterotroph?

Depends on other organisms for food. Signup and view all the answers

What are eukarya?

Eukaryotic cells (Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia). Signup and view all the answers

What are bacteria?

Prokaryotes (Typically bacteria). Signup and view all the answers

What are archaea?

Eukaryotes, live in harsh or extreme conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fossil Record

Collection of fossils showcasing a timeline of life evolution.
Ranges from simple to complex organisms.

Biogeography

Study of how organisms are distributed geographically.

Homologies

Anatomical Homologies: Structural similarities across different species indicating common ancestry.
Molecular Homologies: Similarities at the molecular level, revealing genetic connections among organisms.
Developmental Homologies: Embryonic similarities pointing to common developmental pathways.

Evolutionary Concepts

Gradualism: Concept where species evolve gradually over time.
Punctuated Equilibrium: Theory suggesting that species remain stable for long periods but undergo significant changes in relatively short bursts.

Population and Adaptation

Population: A group of individuals of the same species that interbreed.
Adaptation: Variations that enhance an organism's success in its environment.

Variation and Fitness

Sources of Variation: Arise from meiosis, mutations, crossing over, and migration.
Inherited Variation: Genetic differences classified into phenotypes and genotypes.
Fitness: An organism's reproductive success in its environment.

Natural Selection

Process by which organisms with favorable adaptations survive and reproduce.
Directional Selection: Advantage is given to one specific trait.
Stabilizing Selection: Favors intermediate traits, enhancing average characteristics.
Disruptive Selection: Both extreme traits are advantageous over moderate traits.

Reproductive and Resource Dynamics

Over Reproduction: More offspring increase chances of survival to reproductive age.
Limited Resources: Organisms compete for finite environmental resources.

Evolutionary Change

Evolution: The transformation of species over time.
Theory of Natural Selection: Proposed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing survival of the fittest.

Genetic Mechanisms

Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance.
Gene Flow: Genetic changes resulting from migration of individuals into or out of a population.
Mutation: Alterations in the genetic material that can lead to new traits.
Recombination: Increased genetic diversity through crossing over during meiosis.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy: The classification and naming of organisms.
Developed by Carolus Linnaeus, known for the binomial nomenclature system.
Binomial Nomenclature: Naming system using genus and species designations.
Levels of classification: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (mnemonic: "Did King Phillip Come Over For Great Soup").

Cladistics and Identification

Cladogram: Diagram illustrating evolutionary relationships and divergence of species.
Dichotomous Key: Tool for determining the identity of a specific organism based on characteristics.

Nutritional Classifications

Autotroph/Producer: Organisms that create their own food via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Heterotroph: Organisms that rely on other organisms for sustenance.

Domains of Life

Eukarya: Domain consisting of eukaryotic organisms (Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia).
Bacteria: Domain of prokaryotic microorganisms, typically referred to as bacteria.
Archaea: Domain of prokaryotic organisms that live in extreme environmental conditions.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts in biological evolution and classification, including key terms such as fossil record, biogeography, and homologies. It's designed to help students prepare for the STAAR exam by reinforcing their understanding of evolutionary concepts and the relationships among organisms.