Evolution Flashcards
What is Evolution?
The changing of species over time due to environmental and competitive factors
What is Artificial Selection?
When a specific, desired trait is brought out by breeding
Ex: dogs and plants
What is Natural Selection?
The slow expression of a stronger trait in a species through competition, environment, and conditions
What is Fitness?
How well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment.
What is Adaptation?
Any heritable characteristic that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce
Who is Charles Darwin?
English naturalist who specialized in the diversity of species
What journey is Charles Darwin known for?
Known for his 5-year long voyage to the Galagos where he found data and evidence to support his theory of evolution
What is an example of a species he studied and what did he notice about them?
Studied species such as finches and why some had different beaks
When would he publish his book of findings?
Would publish book of his findings 20 years after its production
What are the four people Charles Darwin took inspiration from?
Lyell and Hulton, Jean Baptiste Lamarck, and Thomas Malthus
What did Hulton and Lyell research?
How Earth changes, how old it is, and how it can be shown through its rock layers. Also, stated how geological formations occurred slowly overtime
What did Lamarck believe about evolution?
Lamarck believed evolution occurred because organisms desired to change. Also thought the body parts used most would naturally get stronger and evolve, while the least used body parts would disappear.
What did Thomas Malthus study?
Malthus researched overpopulation in humans and how it would cause war, famine, and overcrowding. It would also result in only the “strongest” surviving, aka survival of the fittest.
What is Variation?
Variation is the diversity in species caused commonly by mutations. Diversity allows for strength in species. Certain traits inherited are better for the environment
What was Darwin’s proposal to explain evolution?
Darwin proposed common descent: that species descend from other species. Yet they have modifications that increase their fitness
What is a Fossil?
A fossil is a trace or remains of an organism that lived in the past.
What is Sedimentary Rock?
Eroded rock and minerals which were engrossed in a body of water and the pressure formed a layer.
What is a Half-Life?
Length of time required for HALF of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
What is Biogeography?
The study of organism’s location presently and where they and their ancestors used to live.
What are the main 4 types of evidence to support evolution?
-Biogeography
-Fossil record
-Embryology
-Genetics and molecular biology
What is the Fossil Record?
The history of life in the past is shown by preserved traces/remains of an organism. ALWAYS GROWING.
What are Fossils typically preserved in?
Commonly persevered in sedimentary rock. Also preserved by tar or tree amber
What is Divergent Evolution?
Closely related but different. Ex. populations on the Galapagos island evolved from mainland species
What is Convergent Evolution?
Distantly related but similar. Similar environments and roles similarly shape an organism’s evolution.
