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Evolution Flashcards

1
Q

What is adaptation?

A

A structural, behavioral, or physiological process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment.
For example, talons.

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2
Q

What is a structural adaptation?

A

Physical features of an organism that are adapted for its lifestyle.

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3
Q

What is Mimicry?

A

A structural adaptation that causes an organism to resemble/mimic a harmful species.

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4
Q

What is Camouflage?

A

A structural adaptation that causes an organism to blend in with the environment.

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5
Q

What is Behavioural Adaptation?

A

Actions that organisms carry out in order to survive.

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6
Q

What is Physiological Adaptation?

A

A metabolic adjustment of cells or tissues to allow for better survival in an environment.
How the organism functions on the inside.

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7
Q

What is Variation within a Species?

A

A variation is a structural, behavioral, or physiological difference between individuals.
A variation that increases the chance of survival and/or reproduction will become a more frequent trait in a population.

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8
Q

Sharks have an excellent sense of smell. Is this an adaptation and what type is it?

A

Yes, it allows them to find food to survive.
It is a physiological adaptation.

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9
Q

What adaptation does a black and yellow fly show?

A

It is a structural adaptation, the fly resembles a bee so it won’t be eaten.

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10
Q

What is the role of the environment for pepper moths?

A

Different variants thrived differently depending on the environmental changes.
Ex. Black moths thrive in environments with darker trees since they are harder to see by birds.

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11
Q

Predict how genetic variation in populations can at times have no significant effect on the ability of a species to survive and reproduce?

A

DNA variation in sequences that are not part of genes that are expressed may not have an effect on an individual’s or its species.

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12
Q

When the hackmoth caterpillar is disturbed, it pulls in its legs and swells up the front part of its body to resemble a snake. What adaptation is this?

A

It is a structural adaptation because by looking like a snake it deters predators.

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13
Q

What is Natural Selection?

A

The process by which characteristics of a population change over many generations as organisms with heritable traits survive and reproduce.
Nature favors organisms that are best suited to their environment.
Changes the allele frequency of the population.
Selective forces (predators) affect population.

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14
Q

What does “A population changes by natural selection” mean?

A

The ability of individuals with advantageous and heritable traits to survive and reproduce leads to populations with more of those traits over time.
Ex. pesticide resistance in plants

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15
Q

Why does genetic variation make it possible for changes in populations to occur through natural selection?

A

It provides natural selection with the raw material with which it can interact and effect change.
Genetic variation in a population increases the chances that those individuals with favorable, heritable traits will survive changing conditions.

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16
Q

How does natural selection influence an adaptation?

A

Adaptations are products of natural selection because as environments change the genetic characteristics that result in favorable traits in a given environment are selected for an increase in their frequency of occurrence in a population.

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17
Q

Why would wild blueberries be smaller than store-bought blueberries?

A

Farmers artificially select larger blueberries to make more profit.

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18
Q

How have people used selective breeding to create a new variety of plants? What are the possible consequences of the new variety?

A

The wild mustard plant has been modified to produce many different variants like cauliflower.
Changing the plant too much can make it a week or two environmental changes or more fragile.

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19
Q

What is Evolution and why does it occur?

A

the process in which significant changes in the inheritable traits of a species occur over time.
Adapt to environmental changes in order for species to survive.

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20
Q

What is Evolution not?

A

Biological evolution is not defined as simply change over time.
Must be changes that can be passed On to the next generation.

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21
Q

What are Mutations?

A

Source of genetic variation.
Can affect individuals immediately as well as in future populations (inherited).
Can be neutral (no harm or benefit), harmful, or beneficial.
They create new genes that provide a continual supply of new genetic information.

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22
Q

Why do viruses mutate? What do we do to protect ourselves from the new variants of viruses?

A

Viruses, like cells, carry genetic info that can undergo mutations.
New vaccines are developed every year.

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23
Q

What is Selective Advantage?

A

Sometimes a mutation that wasn’t an advantage becomes favorable due to an environmental change.
When an environment changes and then favors a certain variant over others.

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24
Q

What is Artificial Selection?

A

Domestication of plants and animals (changing members of a species to suit human needs).
Artifical=in capacity (not wild).
Selection=humans choose traits of interest.
All individuals within a species would show the chosen variability.(ex. some larger, more fruit, better taste, etc).

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25
Why would farmers use artificial selection? Are all attempts at artificial selection successful?
Farmers select the best plants to collect seeds from for the next season, generation after generation. The best plants would make the most money. Not all artificial selection attempts are successful.
26
An athlete breaks her foot, years later her daughter walks with a limp. Is this an example of evolution?
No, evolution is something that happens over many generations to help with survival and reproduction.
27
What were the contributions of the following people to understanding evolution? Curvier, Malthus, Wallace, Lyell, and Lamarck.
Curvier- Paleontology, the study of ancient life through fossils. Malthus- Theory of population, is that as the population grows more rapidly; war, disease, and famine will reduce it. Wallace- Survival of the fittest. Lyell- Uniformitarianism, forces forming the planet today have operated continuously throughout history. Lamarck- Inheritance of acquired characteristics and use & difuse.
28
Why did Darwin use the phrase "descent with modification" rather than evolution?
He felt the word evolution implied progress but, natural selection doesn't demonstrate progress since it is random just traits that help survive and reproduce.
29
What does Fitness mean? What does a high degree of fitness mean?
The word fit or fitness describes the contribution an individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation. A high degree of fitness means that an organism will survive long enough to thrive and reproduce.
30
What is Selective Pressure?
Environmental conditions that select for certain traits of individuals and select against other traits.
31
What are the key points of Natural Selection?
-Based on random variations. -It does not produce "better" individuals. -It is situational, whether or not a trait is favored depends on the environment at that time. -Nature selects favorable traits. -Not goal-oriented, no agenda other than survival, random variation with selective advantage.
32
Key points of Artificial Selection?
-Humans decide who will reproduce -Humans select favorable traits -Goal oriented, trying to improve performance or appearance in a specific way
33
What is the Fossil Record?
The remains and traces of past life that are found in sedimentary rock; it reveals the history of life on Earth and the kinds of organisms that were alive in the past.
34
How has the fossil record helped scientists understand that organisms change over time?
It shows that fossils in young layers of rock are more similar to existing organisms than are fossils in older layers of rock; fossils can be placed in chronological order to show changes and transitions between groups of organisms; and all organisms didn't co-exist.
35
Why are transitional fossils important?
They link past & present by providing information about the intermediary links between groups of organisms.
36
How does the existence of vestigial pelvic bones in whales refute Lamarck's idea of use and diffuse?
According to Lamarck's idea, the pelvic bone should have disappeared because it wasn't being used. However, the pelvic bone still remains despite disuse.
37
What does "Islands have many unique species of animals and plants that are found nowhere else in the world" mean?
Species that arrive on islands adapt to unique island conditions giving rise to unique organisms.
38
What were the earliest ideas about the origins of life?
They were based on religion and philosophy. In the early 1600s, Empirical studies were used to explain the natural world.
39
What did Charles Lyell do?
He determined that geological changes are slow and continuous.
40
What did George Curvier do?
He developed the science of paleontology (study of fossils).
41
What did J.B. Lamarck do?
He proposed that characteristics acquired during a lifetime could be passed on to the next generation. Also suggested that body parts not used would eventually disappear. His theory was disproved: an organism's adaptations to the environment can not be passed on to the next generation.
42
What did Charles Darwin do? What did he talk about in his book?
He was the first person to develop and publish a Theory of Evolution. Darwin published his findings in his book "Origin of Species" in which he discussed the struggle for existence, theory of adaptation, survival of the fittest, and natural selection. The theory arose when he visited the Galapagos Islands.
43
What were the 3 general patterns of biodiversity Darwin noticed when he visited the Galapagos Islands?
1. Species vary globally- different, yet ecologically similar animals inhabit different, but ecologically similar habits. 2. Species vary locally- different, yet related animal species often occupied different habitats within a local area. 3. Extinct animals resembled living species- Darwin studied fossils and noted similarities to living species.
44
What are Darwin's main points?
1. Individuals vary extensively and much of the variation is heritable. 2. Some variations are favorable. 3. Organisms produce more offspring than can survive (competition for resources). 4. Individuals better suited to local conditions survive to produce more offspring. 5. Processes for change are slow and gradual.
45
What are the five pieces of evidence of evolution?
Fossil Evidence, Biogeography, Anatomy Evidence, Embryological Evidence, and DNA Evidence.
46
What is Fossil Evidence?
Comparing fossils at various depths, one can compare fossil records fossils appear in chronological order. Transitional fossils show the intermediary link between 2 groups of organisms with slightly different features.
47
What is Biogeography?
Belief is that species evolve in one location and then spread out from there. Species found on islands often closely resemble species found on the nearest islands and continents.
48
What is Anatomy Evidence?
Homologous Structures are structures that may have similar structural elements and origin but may have a different function. Analogous Structures are structures of organisms that do not have a common evolutionary origin but perform similar functions. Vestigial Structures are remnants of structures that may have had important functions in ancestral species (whale).
49
What is Embryological Evidence?
Embryos of closely related organisms have similar stages of development. All vertebrates have gills and tails.
50
What is DNA Evidence (Molecular Evidence)?
Comparing DNA sequences and proteins.
51
What is Speciation?
The formation of new species (evolution does not necessarily lead to speciation). Occurs when some members of a sexually reproducing population change so much that they are no longer able to produce viable, fertile offspring with members of the original population.
52
What is a Species?
A population or group of populations in nature whose individual members can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring.
53
What is a Population?
A group of interbreeding individuals of the same species found in the same geographical area.
54
What is Microevolution?
Change on a small scale. Happens when allele frequencies at the population level change. Changes in the frequency within a population or a species.
55
What is Gene Flow?
The movement of alleles (characteristics) from one population to another when individuals migrate. It can create greater genetic diversity in the receiving population improving survival.
56
What is Non-Random Mating?
Individuals select mates on the basis of appearance or behavior (eg. flashy tail feathers, etc).
57
What is Genetic Drift?
The change in allele frequencies that happens by chance. The smaller the population, the more likely genetic drift will be.
58
What is the Founder Effect?
When a few individuals (called founders) leave a population and start a new population.
59
What is the Bottleneck Effect?
Population suddenly reduced in size by a catastrophe. Survivors have only a fraction of the original gene pool (reduced genetic diversity). Pingelap Island- typhoon left only 20 survivors, one survivor was colourblind, now 10% of the population is completely colourblind.
60
What is Sexual Dimorphism?
The two sexes look different, which helps them distinguish the most robust mates.
61
What are the 3 Patterns of Selection?
Stabilizing selection, Directional selection, and Disruptive selection.
62
What is Stabilizing selection?
When environmental conditions remain fairly constant. Favors an intermediate phenotype, which becomes most common. Ex. Human birth weight (6-7 lbs)
63
What is Directional selection?
When the environment offers an opportunity that only one extreme can take advantage of. One extreme of the trait is selected against. The populations trait distribution shifts toward the other extreme. Ex. Giraffe necks.
64
What is Disruptive selection? What is the result of Disruptive selection?
Selection pressures act against individuals in the middle of the trait disruption. The result is a bimodal, or 2 peaked curve. A population in which multiple distinct forms or morphs exist is said to be polymorphic.
65
What is Macroevolution?
Any evolutionary change at or above the level of species or the change of a species over time into another (speciation).
66
How do species arise?
Distinct species arise that isolate the new species reproductively (and therefore genetically) from other specie.
67
What are Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms?
Any behavioral, structural, or biochemical trait that prevents individuals from reproducing successfully.
68
What is a Prezygotic Mechanism? What are the 5 mechanisms?
A reproductive isolating mechanism that prevents fertilization and zygote formation. These species may live in the same region, but these factors prevent breeding from occurring. Behavioral Isolation, Temporal Isolation, Ecological (or Habitat) Isolation, Mechanical Isolation, and Gametic Isolation.
69
What is Behavioral Isolation?
When populations of the same species show behaviors that are not recognized or preferred by members in another population.
70
What is Temporal Isolation?
Different species breed at different times.
71
What is Ecological (or Habitat) Isolation?
Similar species may inhabit different habitats without a region.
72
What is Mechanical Isolation?
Differences in physical features that make 2 species unable to mate.
73
What is Gametic Isolation?
Male gametes are unable to recognize and fertilize egg cells of mother species.
74
What does "biological species" mean?
A population or group of populations in nature whose individual members can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring.
75
2 species of grass plants flower at different times of the year, but they live in the same habitat. What type of reproductive isolating mechanisms is this?
Temporal Isolation, since they breed at different times.
76
2 species of birds overlap in range, but one lives in open woods and farmland, and the other lives in swampy areas. What type of reproductive isolating mechanism is this?
Ecological (habitat) Isolation, since they live in the same region but in different habitats.
77
What is Postzygotic Mechanism and the 3 types?
An isolating mechanism that prevents maturation and reproduction in the offspring of interspecies reproduction. The zygote is either unable to make it to term, or the offspring is sterile. Hybrid Inviability, Hybrid Sterility, and Hybrid Breakdown.
78
What is Hybrid Inviability?
Zygote/embryo die in development before birth (ex. sheeps and goats).
79
What is Hybrid Sterility?
Hybrid offspring are born, remain healthy and viable but are sterile (ex. Liger).
80
What is Hybrid Breakdown?
When the first generation of the hybrid offspring are viable and fertile, but the 2nd generation is either sterile or weak.
81
What is the Allopatric Speciation?
The formation of a new species as the result of a geographical barrier.
82
What is the Sympatric Speciation? What are the 2 types?
The formation of new species within the same geographical area. Occurs when there is no geographical barrier. 1. Members of the same species show a strong preference towards different resources (Hawthorne Fly). 2. When an error in meiosis leads to multiple sets of chromosomes (polyploidy), more likely in plants.
83
What is Polyploidy and an example?
A cell may actually end up with 3 or 4 copies of chromosomes. Polyploidy Watermelons- As we know, meiosis doesn't work well with odd numbers of chromosomes so plants are often sterile, which means no seed.
84
What are similar between Pre-zygotic and Post-zygotic?
Prevents hybrids from becoming viable offspring. Stops offspring from becoming a new species.
85
If 2 species produce a hybrid offspring that is infertile, is a reproductive isolation between the 2 maintained?
Reproductive Isolation is maintained because part of the effect of reproductive isolation is the prevention of the production of fertile offspring.
86
If the 2 zebra species were found to mate in zoos but not in nature would they still be considered different species?
They would not be considered different species. Aside from the fact that these 2 different species cannot produce viable offspring, the biological species definition requires that individuals of populations must not interbreed in nature, and the definition does not include artificial conditions.
87
What is the necessary in a population for the process of speciation to occur?
For speciation to occur, a population must either become divided into at least 2 populations that are reproductively isolated from its parent species.
88
What is the main differences between sympatric and allopatric speciation?
Sympatric speciation involves the creation of a species within the same geographical area, while allopatric speciation involves the creation of a species as a result of a geographical barrier.
89
Why is Sympatric Speciation more common in plants than in animals?
Animals are typically diploid, whereas plants are more commonly polyploid.
90
At the Grand Canyon, the same bird species has been seen on both sides while different squirrel species live on opposite sides. Why is this an example of allopatric speciation?
The Grand Canyon is too big for the animals to journey from one side to the other; they are thus geographically isolated.
91
Why are smaller populations more likely to undergo speciation compared with larger populations?
Natural selection is stronger, greater genetic differences and genetic drift causes larger impact on the population.
92
Will all isolated populations become new species?
Many isolated populations don't live long enough or change enough to undergo speciation.
93
What is Adaptive Radiation?
The diversification of a common ancestral species into a variety of species.
94
What is Differgent Evolution?
A pattern of evolution in which species that were once similar diverge or become increasingly different from each other.
95
What is Convergent Evolution?
Two unrelated species develop similar traits after developing independently in similar environmental conditions.
96
What was the work done by the Grants?
They studied the Galapagos finches and how they evolved.
97
How did the Galapagos finches evolve?
Only one finch first came over to the island, the rest evolved from the one.
98
How did environmental conditions pressure beaks for the Galapagos finches?
The drought caused a lack of food sources for the finches, the birds needed larger beaks to eat the larger seeds so the next generation had larger beaks.
99
How many generations does it take for change to occur?
For the finches it took only one generation for change to occur.
100
What does melanin do for us?
Helps reflect and protect cells from ultraviolet rays.
101
What is the connection between strong sunlight, folate and reproduction?
Strong sunlight can affect the number of folate in a person and folate is essential for reproduction. Melanin protects folate.
102
If folate is so important why doesn't everyone have dark skin?
UVB (which is a part of UV) is essential to make the vitamin D that we need. The less UV there is, the less dark melanin is needed so we can absorb UVB.
103
How can what we know about melanin, sunlight, and folate help people today?
Knowledge of our skin can help us know what we need depending on our skin colour and where we live. Ex. Pale skin in sunny environments has a higher risk of skin cancer.
104
What is the Pace of Evolution? What are the two models?
The rate of evolutionary change. Gradualism and Punctuated Equilibrium.
105
What is Gradualism?
The change that occurs at a slow and steady pace. According to the model, big changes occur from the accumulation of many small changes.
106
What is Punctuated Equilibrium?
The evolutionary change that consists of long periods of stasis (equilibrium) or no change interrupted by periods of rapid divergence or change.
107
How many species of finches can be linked to one common ancestor?
14 species.
108
Does the woodpecker finch have more or less similar DNA than most other finches?
Less similar DNA than the other finches.
109
What is Adaptive Radiation?
The diversification of a common ancestral species into a variety of differently adapted species.
110
Which of the two types of speciation in Adaptive Radiation?
It is a form of allopatric speciation.
111
How much life was found on Hawaii when it was first formed?
No life
112
In what 2 ways did new species arrive on Hawaii?
Ocean currents and winds
113
How were Crossbill's beaks uncrossed?
By trimming the beak with nail clippers.
114
What is the difference between divergent and convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution is when two species with different ancestral origins develop similar characteristics, while divergent evolution refers to when two species diverge from a common ancestor and develop different characteristics.
115
How does punctuated equilibrium explain why most fossils discovered show little morphological change?
According to punctuated equilibrium, evolutionary history consists of long periods of stasis that are interrupted by periods of divergence. Most species undergo much of their morphological change when they first diverge from their parent species. After that, they change relatively little even if it gives rise to other species.
116
How can Graduation and Punctuated Equilibrium coexist?
While many species have evolved rapidly during periods of Earth's history, the fossil record also shows very gradual change for some species over extended periods of time. Therefore, it is now accepted that both models of evolutionary change are at work.

Biology (5 decks)

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