Classification And Evolution Flashcards
What is adaptation
A trait that benefits an organism in its environment and increases its chances of survival and reproduction.
What are anatomical features
Structural features that may be used for classification
What is autotrophic nutrition
Able to produce complex organic molecules from simple inorganic molecules e.g. in photosynthesis
What is a binomial name
A system that uses the genus and species names to identify an organism, to avoid confusion
What is biochemical evidence
Differences in nucleotide sequences (in DNA or RNA) or amino acid sequences (in proteins) that may be used to classify species and establish evolutionary relationships
What is classification
The placing of organisms into groups based on similarities in biochemistry, anatomy, behaviour, and embryology.
What is continuous variation
Variation showing a full range of values between two extremes. Shows normal distribution.
What is convergent evolution
When species not closely related to each other acquire similar traits as a result of adaptation to similar environments e.g. shark and dolphin
What is discontinuous variation
Variation where there are two or more discrete categories with no overlap between them.
What is DNA mutation
A change in the sequence of bases in DNA
What is environmental variation
Variation in response to environmental factors
What is genetic variation
Variation due to genotype (combination of alleles possessed)
What it heterotrophic nutrition
Ingest and digest complex organic molecules
What is INTERspecific variation
Variation between species. Used for classification.
What is INTRAspecific variation
Variation within a species. Basis of natural selection
What are morphological features
Differences in appearance that may be used for classification
What is natural selection
The mechanism for evolution. The best-adapted organisms will be more likely to survive and reproduce, thereby passing on favourable alleles to the next generation.
What is a phylogenetic tree
Branching diagram used to shop the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
What is phylogeny
The study of the evolutionary relationship between organisms
What is a selection pressure
An environmental factor that drives evolution in a particular direction.
What is a species
A group of organisms whose members can interbreed to produce fertile offspring and possess similar biochemistry, physiology, anatomy and behaviour and occupy the same ecological niche.
What is variation
The differences between individuals
