Evolution Flashcards
what is the tree of life
relationships between organisms represented by a single branching tree
how does a tree of life work
species are clustered into groups with similar traits
all extinct species can be traced back to a single common ancestor
what are species
similar individuals that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
what is speciation
formation on a new species from ancestral one
what are the two different models of evolution
- phyletic gradualism
- punctuated equilibrium
what is phyletic gradualism
accumulation of minor changes in a population
what is punctuated equilibrium
minor changes in a species for long periods, punctuated by rapid change over short periods
what is a benefit of extinction
gives rise to opportunities for the evolution of new species
what are the two types of evolution
microevolution
macroevolution
what is microevolution
evolutionary changes within a species
what is an example of microevolution
resistance to insecticide
what is macroevolution
the origin of a new species, orders, and classes
what is an example of macroevolution
amphibians evolving from fish
what is convergent evolution
similar body shapes without recent common ancestors
what is parallel evolution
common ancestor that look similar
what is embryology
embryos of many vertebrates similar for most of development
what are homologous structures
anatomical structures in different organisms that have same ancestral origin but serve different function
what are analogous structures
body parts that serve the same function but differ in structure and development
what are vestigial structures
leftover bones/muscles that we no longer use
what are cladistics
grouping organisms based on characteristics
what is the purpose of cladistics
showing evolutionary changes among group of organisms
what is a cladogram
shows relationships among members of a clade
