B5.2 Flashcards
Define natural selection
The process by which species best suited to their environment will survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous genes
What does survival of the fittest mean?
Those that are better adapted and have better genes survive and pass on their genes
Where do new forms of genes come from?
Changes in existing genes
What did Wallace discover?
Same theory as Darwin
Darwin more famous
Wallace became known as father of biogeography
What were Darwin’s four observations?
- All organisms produce more offspring than survive to adulthood
- Populations remain more or less constant in number
- Members of same species show variation - could be due to reproduction or mutation
- Some characteristics are inherited and passed onto next generation
What did Darwin conclude?
All organisms are involved in a struggle for survival
Some individuals are better adapted to their environment than others
Define speciation
The process of adaptation is repeated every generation so over time this can lead to the development of new forms including new species
What is a mutation?
A change in DNA
Eg substitution, addition, deletion
Why are some mutations beneficial and others not?
Some lead to adaptations which allow the organism to survive
Some lead to problems like cancer
What do seed banks do?
Store seeds
Protect endangered species
Involved in planting and research
Send medicinal plants as aid
Biodiversity
Why do we use classification?
Identify species
Predict characteristics
Find / show evolutionary links
What mnemonic do you use to remember the system of classification?
Koalas
Play
Chess
On
Famous
Game
Shows
What are the titles in the system of classification?
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Define species
A group of organisms capable of reproducing naturally to produce fertile offspring
A species can show great ____
But they have more ____ in common with each other than with organisms of different species
Variation
Features
Each species is given two name: first the ____ and then the ____
Genus
Species
Give two examples of scientific names for species
Panthera leo (lion)
Canis familiaris (dog)
Why is it important to use binomial nomenclature?
Helps differentiate between species
What is the difference between natural and artificial classification?
Natural is based on evolutionary relationships
Artificial is based on similar features
What is phylogenetics?
The study of evolutionary relationships between groups of organisms
Why do closely related animals look different?
Different adaptations to their environment
Why do some animals look similar even though they’re not closely related?
Live in similar environments (similar adaptations)
What is evolution?
A change in the inherited characteristics of a population over many generations, through a process of natural selection
Evolution may result in…
Formation of new species
