classification & evolution (ch10) Flashcards
population
the number of organisms of the same species that live in a particular geographical area at the same time
species
organisms that are able to breed together and produce fertile offspring
class
a group of organisms that all possess the same general traits
phylum
contains all groups of organisms that have the same body plan
morphology
physical form/structure
homologous traits
traits that stem from a common evolutionary ancestor
autotrophs
feed themselves through photosynthesis
heterotrophs
produce energy by eating other organisms
phylogeny
study of evolutionary relationships between organisms
convergent evolution
organisms that are not closely related evolve independently to have similar features, as a result of having to adapt to similar environments
SNP
(single nucleotide polymorphism) a change of one single nucleotide into another, meaning the DNA pair changes
indels
(insertions/deletions) one/more nucleotide pairs in a DNA strand are lost or gained
variation
differences in characteristics between organisms
interspecific variation
differences between members of different species
intraspecific variation
differences between organisms within a species
genetic variation
differences in genetic material inherited from parents
environmental variation
result of the environment an organism lives in
alleles
different versions of the same gene
mutations
changes to DNA sequences, and therefore genes
genomes
all genetic material of organisms
selection pressure
external agents that affect an organism’s ability to survive in a given environment
natural selection
how features of the environment apply a selection pressure on reproduction of individual’s in a population
selected for
organisms that selection pressure conveys an advantage for due to particular features
selected against
organisms at a disadvantage to selection pressure due to a lack of features
biotic
living factors
abiotic
non living factors
physiological adaptations
ensures correct functioning of cell processes
behavioural adaptations
behaviour of the organism that helps it to survive in conditions they live in
anatomical adaptations
any physical structure that enhances survival of an organism
ecological niche
the match of a species to a specific environmental condition
low standard deviation
-indicates data has a narrow range, as points are closely grouped around mean
-reliability is high
high standard deviation
-data has a larger range, so is less grouped around mean
-reliability is low
null hypothesis
no significant difference between the means of data
t value > critical value
-statistically significant difference between means
-less than 5% probability difference is due to chance
-null hypothesis can be rejected
t value < critical value
-no significant difference between means
-probability difference is due to chance is higher than 5%
-null hypothesis is accepted
species evenness
distribution of different species throughout an area
biodiversity
the variety of all living things found in an area
species richness
total number of different species within an area
habitat
an area inhabited by a species, including all biotic and abiotic factors
environmental gradient
physical conditions change within an area
endangered species
species that are threatened by extinction
conservation
the active management to maintain habitats and the species that inhabit them with the aim of supporting the survival of endagered species, in order to maintain biodiversity
in situ
conserving species in their natural habitat
nature/widlife reserves
designated area managed for conservation of habitats/species
marine conservation zone
area of sea/ocean that is set aside to conserve diversity of species/habitats
ex situ
conserving species outside of natural habitat
