Evidence Of Evolution Flashcards
Main types of evidence for evolution
Direct observation, homologous, fossil record, biogeography
Why are E. coli great for the Long-term evolution experiment?
Allowed many generations and large populations to be studied in a short period time
Model organism
Can be frozen and presaged and still be viable
“Frozen fossil record” that can be revived at any time
They are asexual
Short generation time
What are the benefits to long-term experiments?
They allow us to see variability and complexity in a study
Long-term experiments allow opportunity to see things that may be missed in the short- term
What is artificial selection?
Intentional reproduction of individuals to obtain a desired trait
What is homology?
Similarities in structures or genes due to sharing common ancestry
Homology can be found in…
Phenotypes and genotypes
What is vestigial structure?
Remnants of features that served a function in an organism’s ancestors
What is an amnion?
The innermost membrane that encloses the embryo of a mammal, bird, or reptile
What are analogous structures?
Are similar stores in organisms without shared ancestors. These structures evolved independently to serve the same purpose.
What is convergent evolution?
Independent evolution of similar features in different lineages
Fossils show…
How past organisms differed from present day organisms
That many species have gone extinct
Can shed a light on origins of new groups
Provide transitional states
What are some challenges with fossils?
Burrowing organisms are more likely to make fossils
Organisms with hard parts are more likely to leave fossils
Older organisms are less likely to have fossils
More numerous organisms are more likely to leave fossils
What is biogeography?
The study of the geographic distribution of species and ecosystems in a space and time
Distributions of biogeography are influenced by…
Continual drift, latitude, elevation, isolation, habitat area
