Evolition Flashcards
What is evolution?
The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
True or False: Evolution is a linear process.
False
Fill in the blank: The theory of evolution was proposed by __________.
Charles Darwin
What is natural selection?
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution? A) Mutation B) Genetic Drift C) Photosynthesis D) Natural Selection
C) Photosynthesis
Define speciation.
The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
True or False: All species evolve at the same rate.
False
What is the significance of the fossil record in evolution?
It provides evidence of the history of life and the gradual changes of species over time.
Fill in the blank: The process of __________ describes how species adapt to their environment over time.
natural selection
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a key concept of Darwin’s theory? A) Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics B) Survival of the Fittest C) Intelligent Design D) Spontaneous Generation
B) Survival of the Fittest
What is genetic drift?
A mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.
True or False: Evolution can occur without natural selection.
True
What are homologous structures?
Anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry.
Fill in the blank: The concept of __________ suggests that organisms with favorable traits are more likely to reproduce.
natural selection
Multiple Choice: Which scientist is known for the concept of punctuated equilibrium? A) Charles Darwin B) Stephen Jay Gould C) Gregor Mendel D) Alfred Wallace
B) Stephen Jay Gould
What is adaptive radiation?
The process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a multitude of forms to adapt to different environments.
True or False: All evolutionary changes are beneficial.
False
What is a transitional fossil?
Fossils that show intermediate states between an ancestral form and that of its descendants.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the smallest unit of evolution.
population
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of convergent evolution? A) Whales and fish B) Dogs and wolves C) Humans and chimpanzees D) Birds and bats
A) Whales and fish
What is the role of mutations in evolution?
Mutations are changes in DNA that create genetic diversity, which can be acted upon by natural selection.
True or False: Evolution can be observed within a single generation.
False
What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?
A principle that describes the genetic variation in a population that is not evolving.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
Biogeography
Multiple Choice: Which type of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait? A) Stabilizing Selection B) Directional Selection C) Disruptive Selection D) Sexual Selection
C) Disruptive Selection
What is the significance of molecular evidence in evolution?
It provides insights into the genetic relationships and evolutionary history among species.
True or False: Evolutionary theory is considered a fact by the scientific community.
True
