Chapter 3 Glossary Terms

Question 1

Analogous

Answer 1

Structures that appear similar or have the same function but are controlled by different genes.

Eg. dolphin and shark body shape and fins.

Question 2

Artificial Selection

Answer 2

The process by which people choose to breed particular organisms with desirable traits and features; also known as selective breeding or directed selection.

Question 3

Cross-breeding

Answer 3

Selective breeding by combining a desirable feature of one individual with another in the offspring.

Question 4

Evolution

Answer 4

Change in the characteristics of a species over many generations.

Question 5

Generation

Answer 5

The time between the birth of and individual and their offspring.

Question 6

Homologous

Answer 6

Structures that are controlled by some of the same inherited genes.
Eg. cats and lions

Question 7

Inbreeding

Answer 7

Selective breeding with closely related individuals.

More likely to result in disease or deformities.

Question 8

Antibiotics

Answer 8

Chemicals made by organisms (such as fungi) to defend them against bacteria.

Question 9

Natural selection

Answer 9

The process where an environmental factor will impact on the population and results in some organisms having ore offspring than others.
Eg. Pepper moths- colours

Question 10

Resistance

Answer 10

Inherited abilities of a species to withstand chemicals such as pesticides.

Question 11

Selective agent

Answer 11

The environmental factor acting on the population during natural selection.
Eg. predation, bacterial infection, competition, temperature, water, fire, soil nutrients.

Question 12

Sexual selection

Answer 12

A case of natural selection where the environmental factor is the selection of a mate.

Question 13

Variation

Answer 13

Differences in characteristics due to different genes.

Question 14

Biodiversity

Answer 14

The number and range of different species that exist on Earth or in an ecosystem.

Question 15

Distribution

Answer 15

A map of places a certain species occurs.

Question 16

Embryology

Answer 16

The study of the embryos of different species

Question 17

Isolation

Answer 17

Keeping interbreeding groups apart by a barrier or mechanism.

Question 18

Species

Answer 18

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring under natural conditions.

Question 19

Speciation

Answer 19

The process by which one species splits into two or more separate species.

Question 20

Transitional Form

Answer 20

Fossils with features of two or more different groups.

Question 21

Australopithecus

Answer 21

A genus in the family Hominidae that is probably ancestral to our genus Homo.

Question 22

Hominidae

Answer 22

The family to which humans and the extinct genus Australopithecus belongs.

Question 23

Homo

Answer 23

The genus to which human beings, and several other species belong.

Question 24

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Answer 24

DNA contained within the cell mitochondria and passed from mother to sons and daughters.

Question 25

Out of Africa model

Answer 25

model (hypothesis) proposing a common ancestor of all modern humans evolved in Africa, then migrated out to populate the whole Earth.

Question 26

Primates

Answer 26

Order of animals with ‘grasping’ hands, nails rather than claws and forward-facing eyes.