Chapter 2: Biology, Genetics & Evolution

Question 0

Genus (general)

Answer 0

In the system of plant and animal classification, a group of like species.

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

The smallest working units in biological classificatory systems; reproductively isolated populations or groups of populations capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

Question 2

Natural selection

Answer 2

The evolutionary process through which factors in the environment exert pressure, favoring some individuals over others to produce the next generation.

Question 3

genes

Answer 3

The portions of DNA molecules that direct the synthesis of specific proteins.

Question 4

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 4

The genetic material consisting of a complex molecule whose base structure directs the synthesis of proteins.

Question 5

alleles

Answer 5

Alternate forms of a single gene.

Question 6

Phenotype

Answer 6

The observable characteristic of an organism that may or may not reflect a particular genotype due to the variable expression of dominant and recessive alleles.

Question 7

Hemoglobin

Answer 7

The protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.

Question 8

Population

Answer 8

In biology, a group of similar individuals that can and do interbreed.

Question 9

Gene pool

Answer 9

All the genetic variants possessed by members of a population.

Question 10

Evolution

Answer 10

The changes in allele frequencies in populations; also known as microevolution.

Question 11

Hardy-Weinburg principle

Answer 11

The concept that demonstrates algebraically that the percentages of individuals that are homozygous for the dominant allele, homozygous for the recessive allele, and heterozygous should remain constant from one generation to the next, provided that certain specified conditions are met.

Question 12

mutation

Answer 12

The change alteration of genetic material that produces new variation.

Question 13

genetic drift

Answer 13

The chance fluctuations of allele frequencies in the gene pool of a population.

Question 14

gene flow

Answer 14

The introduction of alleles from the gene pool of one population into that of another.

Question 15

adaptation

Answer 15

A series of beneficial adjustments to a particular environment.

Question 16

Reproductive success

Answer 16

The relative production of fertile offspring by a genotype. In practical terms, the number of offspring produced by individual members of a population is tallied and compared to that of others.

Question 17

sickle-cell anemia

Answer 17

An inherited form of anemia produced by a mutation in the hemoglobin protein that causes the red blood cells to assume a sickle shape.

Question 18

punctuated equilibria

Answer 18

A model of macroevolutionary change that suggests evolution occurs via long periods of stability or stasis punctuated by periods of rapid change.

Question 19

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Answer 19

natural selection

Question 20

Jane Goodall

Answer 20

Primatologist who has studied chimpanzees for nearly 45 years. The knowledge she has amassed reveals striking similarities with our species.

Question 21

Dmanisi, Georgia

Answer 21

One of the many locations where fossils of Homo erectus have been located, and now known to have inhabited 1.8 mya.

Question 22

Lake Turkana, Kenya

Answer 22

The location where Richard Leakey discovered a well-known fossil known as KNM ER 1470, 1.9 mya; these deposits like those at Olduvai, also contain crude stone tools. This fossil’s skull is more modern in appearance than any Australopithecus skull and has a cranial capacity of 752 cc.

Question 23

Hadar, Ethiopia

Answer 23

Also known as Afar, one of the many locations where Australopithecus fossils have been discovered.

Question 24

Berhane Asfaw

Answer 24

world-renowned paleoanthropologist leading major expeditions in Ethiopia.

Question 25

Orrorin tugenensis

Answer 25

6 million year old fossils discovered in Kenya by French and British researchers Brigitte Senut and Martin Pickford, reported as human ancestors, nicknamed the “Millenium Man”. The bones recovered demonstrate possible but not definite bipedalism.