Chapter 17 - Variation And Evolution Flashcards
What is variation within a species?
Variation within a species means that in a group of successfully interbreeding organisms, the individual members show different characteristics.
What is evolution? Who was the theory discovered by?
Evolution is the way in which organisms change genetically to produce new forms of life over long periods of time. The theory was discovered by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
What is the theory of evolution based on?
The theory of evolution is by means of natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with genetically controlled characteristics that allow them to be well adapted to their environments survive and reproduce to pass on their genes to the following generations.
What are 2 different ways inherited variation within a species may arise?
Meiosis and mutation. Mutation is the spontaneous change in the amount or structure of DNA.
What are 2 types of variation?
Acquired and inherited variation.
What are acquired variations?
Acquired variations are not inherited but are developed during life.
What is a chromosome mutation and give an example.
A chromosome mutation is a large change in the structure or number of one or more chromosomes. Down syndrome.
