Chapter 6: Evolution of the Brain and Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Evolution

A

Change in the properties of a species over generations.

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2
Q

It was originally believed that each species was created ___.

A

Seperately

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3
Q

Speciation

A

Development of new and separate species.

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4
Q

Homology

A

Relationships among species; features are based on common ancestors.

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5
Q

Paleontology

A

Suggested evolution
- Found fossil similarities between current and past species.

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6
Q

Darwins theory is based on his…

A

Trip to the Galapagos Islands

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7
Q

What are Darwins 4 observations?

A
  1. Reproduction increases population unless factors limit it.
  2. Individuals in a species are not identical.
  3. Some variation among individuals is inherited.
  4. Not all offspring survive to reproduce.
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8
Q

What was Darwin’s major inference from his observations?

A

Heritable variations among individuals affect probability of surviving & reproducing.

=The probability of passing on those characteristics

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9
Q

What was Darwin’s major contribution?

A

Natural Selection

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10
Q

Natural Selection

A

The differential survival and reproduction of organisms with heritable characteristics.

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11
Q

Every species occupies a ___.

A

“Niche” in their ecosystem

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12
Q

Survival of the Fittest

A

How well a species/member of the species fits into its niche

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13
Q

Sexual Selection

A

The passing down of certain traits that enhance mating success.

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14
Q

Convergence

A

Similar traits/characteristics can develop separately and independently in different species.

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15
Q

What is an example of convergence?

A
  1. Bats and birds both fly
  2. Dolphins and fish both swim/have fins
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16
Q

Homoplasy

A

Similar features that evolved separately

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17
Q

Homoplasy contrasts….

A

Homology (features based on common ancestry)

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18
Q

What is an example of homology?

A

Seal flippers are similar to a human arm.

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19
Q

Analogy

A

Similar function

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20
Q

What is an example of analogy?

A

An elephant trunk and a human hand.

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21
Q

Mendel (heritability)

A

Created laws of inheritance

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22
Q

Hugo de Vries (heritability)

A

Stated that mutations occur

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23
Q

Mutations

A

Spontaneous changed in an organism’s characteristics

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24
Q

Mechanism of Inheritance

A

Genes are encoded in DNA which are inside all cells.

25
Q

How many chromosome pairs do humans have?

A

23 pairs (2 copies of each gene)

26
Q

Males have what type of chromosomes?

A

X and Y

27
Q

What does it mean when genes are “conserved”?

A

There is little change/difference among species.

28
Q

True or False: There are considerable genetic similarities among all living cellular organisms.

A

TRUE

29
Q

Linnaeus (1700’s)

A

The classification of animals is based on the similarities among animals.

30
Q

Taxonomy

A

The classification system of animals.

31
Q

Phylogeny

A

The evolutionary history of species.

32
Q

Modern classification of species consist of…

A

Phylogenetic closeness.

33
Q

There is a ___ rate of DNA change.

A

constant

34
Q

What can changes in DNA be used for?

A

Estimate when two species diverged from a common ancestor.

35
Q

What are the 6 ways to choose species?

A
  1. Outstanding features
  2. Convenience
  3. Comparison
  4. Preservation
  5. Economic Importance
    6.Treatment of disease
36
Q

Are most animals invertebrates or vertebrates?

A

Invertebrates

37
Q

What is the difference between invertebrates and vertebrates?

A

Invertebrates: Do not have a backbone

Vertebrates: Have a backbone

38
Q

Do invertebrates have more or less neurons?

A

Less neurons but have large complexity in their NS.

39
Q

How do we study evolution in the brain?

A

Compare the brains of species engaging in different kinds of behaviors.

40
Q

What is an example of studying brain evolution?

A

Compare the warblers singing to their HVC size (displays song production).

41
Q

HVC

A

Higher vocal center

42
Q

What is the relationship between brain amount and importance of a function?

A

The more brain amount, the more important the function is.

43
Q

What are examples of the brain amount and function relationship?

A
  1. Warblers: HVC size and # of songs they know
  2. Birds: Hippocampus size and their food storing ability
  3. Rats: Cortex devoted to whisker representation and their whiskers.
44
Q

What are the 6 basic similarities across vertebrate systems?

A
  1. Development from a hollow dorsal tube.
  2. Bilateral symmetry.
  3. Segmentation.
  4. Hierarchical control.
  5. Separate systems (central & peripheral).
  6. Functional specialization
45
Q

What are examples of regions that have been changed/altered?

A
  1. The midbrain optic tectum has becomes the visual reflex center in mammals.
  2. All mammals have a neocortex with 6 layers, but now more than 50% of the brain is devoted to the neocortex.
  3. Reptiles developed a 3 layered cortex, which may be similar to the mammalian hippocampus (3 layers).
46
Q

Is evolution linearly oriented towards a particular goal?

A

No (birds and brain size)

47
Q

Brain size must account for ___ size.

A

Body

48
Q

Smaller animals have a ___ brain-body ration than humans.

A

Greater

49
Q

Encephalization Factor

A

Takes into account each class’s deviation from the center line.

50
Q

What do brain region proportions in primates display?

A

The relative importance of the cortex in primates (especially humans).

Cortex = higher cognitive functions

51
Q

Regions of the brain that develop later become…

A

Larger

52
Q

Small changes in genes lead to…

A

Big changes in the brain

EX: Cortex cells are added to outer layers at a later time.

53
Q

What accounts for differences in primate brains?

A
  1. Protracted (later) brain development
  2. When genes are turned on/off
  3. Whether genes are turned on/off
  4. Where genes are turned on/off
54
Q

Where do we see the largest divergence of gene expression?

A

In humans compared to other primates for brain related genes.

55
Q

Brain Evolution: 4 Million yrs ago

A

Began walking on two feet

56
Q

Brain Evolution: 2.5 million yrs ago

A

Stone tools

57
Q

Social Brain Hypothesis

A

A larger cortex is needed to handle complex social relationships.

58
Q

What are the other suggestions for brain growth (not main)?

A
  1. Behavioral innovations
  2. Tool use
  3. Social learning (observation)
  4. Sexual selection
59
Q

Why is it difficult to get larger brains in humans?

A

A baby still needs to be able to fit out of the uterus at birth.