Evolution Flashcards
Describe a population
A population is an interbreeding group of organisms.
What is a gene pool
A gene pool is the total genetic information available in a population.
How do we get variation in a gene pool?
Mutations, Recombination, and random pairing of gametes
How could variation in a gene pool decrease
Natural disasters and hunting is an example of how variation in a gene pool can decrease.
Why is variation important? Describe a particular situation in which genetic variation would be important.
Variation is important because it leads to the differentiation of species within a population. It helps species evolve and reproduce, benefiting the later species to come.
How do we calculate allele frequencies
Allele frequency is determined by dividing the number of a certain allele by the total number of alleles for that trait in the population.
what scientist described natural selection
Charles Darwin
what led Charles Darwin to understand the theory of natural selection
Visiting the Galapagos Islands and discovering the evolution of finches is what led to Darwin’s understanding of natural selection.
What does natural selection act upon?
Natural selection acts on an organism’s phenotype.
What are the three types of natural selection
disruptive, directional, and stabilizing selection
What is an adaptation
Adaptation is the physical or behavioural characteristic of an organism that helps an organism to survive better in the surrounding environment. An example of adaptation is long necks of giraffes reaching top of trees.
Geographic Isolation
is the physical separation of members of a population.
Habitat Isolation
species that live in different habitats within the same area
Behavioral Isolation
boundaries that exist based on actions/communication
Temporal Isolation
what time of day/week/month/year are you out at
Why must reproductive isolation occur in order for speciation to occur
Reproductive isolation must occur so that the gene pools are isolated. When the gene pools are isolated, changes that occur in one gene pool will not be carried over to the other gene pool. Over time, with the gene pool changing it will result in new species producing
Who originally developed the idea for continental drift
Alfred Wegener
What drives the shift of tectonic plates
The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior causes the plates to move.
Describe a convergent boundary and what it forms
Convergent plate boundaries are when two plates move towards each other (volcanic activity; mountain).
Describe a divergent boundary and what it forms.
Divergent plate boundaries are when the two plates move away from each other (rift).
Describe a divergent boundary and what it forms
Divergent plate boundaries are when the two plates move away from each other (rift).
Describe a transform boundary.
Transform plate boundaries are when the two plates slide past each other.(Earthquakes)
explain convergent evolution
Convergent evolution is ecological pressures that cause a similarity in structure or function, but not from a common ancestor. For example, bats and birds.
Explain divergent evolution.
Divergent evolution is when there are differences in organisms but shared a common ancestor. For example, the Galapagos Finches.
