5. Evolution Flashcards
Bryophytes
No xylem or phloem No leaves, roots or stems Reproduces via spores Anchored by rhizoids Ex: Mosses
Filicinophyta
Has xylem and phloem Has leaves, roots or stems Reproduces via spores Leaves are pinnate Ex: Ferns
Coniferophyta
Has xylem and phloem Has leaves, roots or stems Reproduces via seeds in cones Has woody stems Ex: pine trees
Angiospermopyta
Has xylem and phloem Has leaves, roots or stems Reproduces via seeds in fruits Has flowers and fruits Ex: Flowers
Definition of Evolution
The cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of a population over time
What are fossil records and what do they show
The totality of fossils- both discovered and undiscovered.
Provides evidence for evolution - shows a gradual change of species over time
Law of fossil succession
- Fossils can be dated by determining the age of the rock layer (strata) in which the fossil is found
- Sedimentary rock layers develop in chronological order
- Fossils show a chronological time sequence in which characteristics appear and develop in complexity
- Sedimentary rock layers develop in chronological order
Transitional fossils- what do they show, what are they evidence for
- Show links between species by exhibiting traits common to both ancestral species and its descendant species
- Ex: archaeopteryx - dinosaurs and birds
- Evidence for macroevolution- development of new species
- Ex: archaeopteryx - dinosaurs and birds
Selective Breeding- what is it and what does it show for evolution
When humans intervene to breed individuals with the most desirable traits
- Trait's frequency becomes more common in successive generations - Evidence for evolution: targeted breeds show significant variation in a short period of time - Accelerates evolutionary process - Evidence for microevolution- changes within a species - Shows that artificial selection can cause evolution
Homologous structures
- Definition
- Example
- Evidence for?
- Homologous Structures are similar shape in different types of organisms but have different functions
- Ex: Pentadactyl limb in vertebrates : same structure but adapted to different mode of locomotion in certain environment
- Evidence for adaptive radiation and divergent evolution
Define Divergent Evolution
When two separate species have a similar structure but use it in different ways because of their environment
Define Adaptive Radiation
Form of divergent evolution where many species evolve from a common ancestor to occupy a range of available niches
Analogous structures
- Definition
- Example
- Evidence for?
- Anatomical features performing a similar function but having a different evolutionary origin
- Ex: wings of insects and birds
- Evidence for convergent evolution
Define Convergent Evolution
Organisms that are not closely related evolve similar structures that are used for similar purposes
Speciation
- Definition
- How does it happen
- The evolutionary process by which two related populations diverge into separated species
- If two populations of a species become geographically separated, they will adapt to different environmental conditions and gradually diverge from one another
- As genetic divergence increases, genetic compatibility decreases
- When the two diverged populations meet again and cannot interbreed to produce fertile offspring, speciation has occurred
Explain industrial melanism example
Peppered moths- exist in two morphs/variations: light and dark form
- In an unpolluted environment, trees covered in lichen allowed light coloured moths to camouflage
- In a polluted environment (following industrial revolution), sulphur dioxide kills lichen and soot darkens bark, providing camouflage for dark coloured moths
- Frequency of the allele depends on the environment and evolves as conditions change
- Prior industrial revolution, light coloured moths had survival advantage, after industrial revolution, dark coloured moths did
- Pollution as natural selection pressure
Peppered moth would slowly diverge into two different species
Continuous variation
Type of variation controlled by many genes, has a wide range of variability and can be influenced by environment
Discontinuous variation
Type of variation that is influenced by genes, can be categorised, and is not influenced by environment
Steps of Natural Selection
- Genetic variation inherited
- Competition due to overpopulation for survival
- Adaptations- ‘survival of the fittest’
- Selection- successful inheritance of successful variations –> change in allele frequency –> evolution
Causes of variation
- Mutation - change in DNA base sequence
- Meiosis - crossing over and independent assortment
- Sexual reproduction - random fertilization