Evidence for Evolution Flashcards

1
Q

Evolution vs. Natural Selection

A
  • Evolution: genetic changes (allele frequency) over time, through generations in a population
  • Natural Selection: operates on phenotypes, not genotypes
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2
Q

Evidence: fossils

A
  • Show morphological changes over millions of years
  • Vestigial structures show evidence of previously important body parts
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3
Q

Evidence: bad design

A
  • Ex: left recurrent laryngeal nerve runs from the brain to the larynx by looping around
  • Inefficient design today, but originated in fish, where it was a direct link
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4
Q

Biogeography

A
  • Distribution of life across continents (Pangaea)
  • Ex: marsupials in Australia and the Americas
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5
Q

Convergent evolution

A
  • Similar adaptations without a common ancestor (it was beneficial to evolve with a similar morphology)
  • Ex: non-crabs converging into crab-like forms
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6
Q

Humans inadvertently create selection

A
  • Peppered moths, harvesting, hunting
  • Those with traits most fit for survival will be seen at a higher frequency over time
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7
Q

Molecular genetics

A
  • DNA suggests a universal origin of life
  • Speciation (observed through genetic differences) appears to accumulate at a constant rate
  • Ex: increase in pseudogenes for olfactory receptors in cetaceans when they returned to the water
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