Chapter 13 Evolution and Diversity

Question 1

What is natural selection?

Answer 1

Individuals with certain inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than are individuals with other traits.

Question 2

What are homologous structures?

Answer 2

Anatomical signs of descent with modivication. Ex. The forelimbs of all mammals are constructed from the same skeletal elements. The hypothesis that all mammals descended from a common ancestor predicts that their forelimbs, though diversely adapted, would be variations on a common anatomical theme.

Question 3

What are analogous structures?

Answer 3

Pertains to the various structures in different species having the same function but have evolved separately, thus do not share common ancestor.

Question 4

What is Modern Synthesis?

Answer 4

Unites biology and genetics. Darwin said that natural selection is the mechanism but Mendal gave us the explanation as to why. Evolution and heredity.

Question 5

What is the smallest unit of evolution?

Answer 5

A population. Generation to generation can change by manipulating the genes.

Question 6

What is a “gene pool?”

Answer 6

A gene pool is a collection of all available genes in a population that are able to be passed down from parents to offspring. The gene pool has the total allele diversity found in a population.