Chapter 3: Evolution and Biological Anthropology (not on exam)

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

The process of change over time

Question 2

Evolutionary theory

Answer 2

The set of testable hypotheses that assert that living organisms can change over time and share a common ancestry

Question 3

Great Chain of Being

Answer 3

God’s creation, everything was harmonious

Question 4

Linneaus

Answer 4

Taxonomy (sorting species out)

Question 5

Species

Answer 5

A reproductive community of populations that occupies a specific niche in society

Question 6

Taxonomy

Answer 6

A classification

Question 7

Genus

Answer 7

Level of Linneaun taxonomy in which different species are grouped together based on their similarities

Question 8

Catastrophism

Answer 8

Ancient life forms destroyed by catastrophes and replaced by new, divinely created species

Question 9

Transformism

Answer 9

Species arise from others through a long, gradual process

Lamarckian evolution

Question 10

Uniformitarianism

Answer 10

Present is key to the past (Hutton & Lyell)

Question 11

Darwin’s theory 1

Answer 11

There is variation
There is competition
Species can produce more offspring than can survive

Question 12

Darwin’s theory 2

Answer 12

Some variation means more offspring
Best variations passed on
Accumulations of variations creates new species

Question 13

Evolutionary fitness

Answer 13

Measure of an organism’s contribution to the next generation’s gene pool

Question 14

Dominant traits

Answer 14

Mask recessive forms in hybrid individuals

Question 15

Recessive traits

Answer 15

Appear in later generations

Question 16

Gene pool

Answer 16

Alleles, genes, chromosomes, and genotypes within a breeding population

Question 17

Genetic evolution

Answer 17

Change in gene frequency in a breeding population from generation to generation

Question 18

Genotype

Answer 18

Arrangement of dominant and recessive alleles

Question 19

Phenotype

Answer 19

Observable characteristics given by genes

Question 20

Mutation

Increases variation between and within populations

Answer 20

Creation of a new allele for a gene when a portion of the DNA molecule is suddenly altered

Question 21

Natural selection

Answer 21

Variant individuals best suited survive and reproduce

Question 22

Gene flow

Answer 22

Exchange of genes that occurs when population experiences sudden expansion due to in-migration from another population

Question 23

Genetic drift

Answer 23

Random changes in gene frequencies due to a sudden reduction in population size

Question 24

Melanin

Answer 24

Primary determinant of skin colour

Question 25

Speciation

Answer 25

The process by which new species emerge