AOS 1 exam questions Flashcards
What are the differences between allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation?
- A: physical isolation by geological barrier
- A: involves natural selection
- A: speed of emergence is slow
- S: occurs when individuals in the same habitat are reproductively isolated
- S: involves polyploidy
- S: speed of emergence is fast
What are the similarities between allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation?
- both occur through reproductive isolation of individuals
- both processes involve evolving a new, distinct species
- new species are incapable of interbreeding with pre-existing species
What are index fossils?
.
Why might a cactus not undergo fossilisation?
- low availability of water to develop sedimentary deposits which are associated with deposition of organisms that become fossils
- cactus do not have hard parts which are more likely tp become fossils
What is convergent evolution?
When two non-related species have evolved similar adaptions due to similar environmental conditions in different regions.
Provide an example of convergent evolution.
Sharks and dolphins both have fins and sharp teeth despite shark being a marine carnivore.
What is the founder effect?
Occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals which come from a larger population.
What features does a small population have as a result of the founder effect?
- reduced variation from original population
- non- random sample of genes in orignal population
How can two species evolve? (4)
- one group becomes isolated by changed geography
- geneflow is no longer possible
- allele frequencies change due to natural selection as groups are acted upon by different selection pressures
- eventually species are different enough that they can no longer produce viable/ fertile offspring
How can you establish whether two species are different?
Interbreed two groups and if they produce viable and fertile offspring, they are distinct species.
Explain the process of natural selection.
- variation occurs in original population: acts as selective advantage
- selective pressure results in some species being more suited to environment due to certain phenotypic trait
- species with selective advantage survive, reproduce and pass one allele to next generation
Two conditions that determine whether something is an example of selective breeding.
- presence of selective agent
- presence of selected/ desired phenotype
Does gene flow or a selective agent act more quickly on allele frequencies?
- geneflow has immediate action: taking effect as soon as group migrates into population
- selective pressure occurs over one or more generations
Why is diversity an advantage?
Diversity produces a variety of phenotypes. There will be an increased chance of survival of population if environment changes.
Why might different species be similar?
- gene flow or interbreeding has occurred: due to living in close proximity
- there has been a recent isolating mechanism: meaning species have recently been isolated