Evolution Flashcards
what is evolution
change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through natural selection, which may result in a new species
how do antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria develop
mutations that allow the strain to survive and reproduce in the presence of the antibiotic
why can bacteria evolve rapidly
they reproduce at a fast rate (through mitosis)
what classification system did Carl Woese introduce
three-domain system of:
-archaea
-bacteria
eukaryota
what is the binomial system
naming of organisms by their genus and species
factors that contribute to the extinction of a species
-predators
-diseases/pathogens
-competition of resources/mates
-catastrophic events
-changes in habitat
what is extinction
no individuals of a species still alive
problems with the fossil record
-many early organisms were soft-bodied so left few fossils
-gaps in the fossil record as they haven’t all been found, some have also been destroyed
benefits of the fossil record
we can learn how species changed and how life developed on Earth, and track the movement of species across the world
How might fossils be formed
-parts of an organism don’t decay due to the conditions (e.g. ice)
-traces of organisms preserved
-parts of organisms replaced by rock minerals
what are fossils
remains of organisms from millions of years ago found in rocks
what evidence supports theory of evolution
-parents pass on their characteristics to offspring in genes
-fossil record evidence
-evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
what is the theory of evolution by natural selection
the organisms that are best adapted to their environment are most likely to survive and pass on these characteristics to their offspring
