Evolution Flashcards
Facts
Observed or measured data that helps explain something
Theory
Interpretation of facts that has been repeatedly supported
Law
Explains how something happens using mathematical equations
Evolution
The process of change overtime
Specifically, a change in the frequency of alleles in a population over time
Charles Darwin
Father of Evolution
Proposed a mechanism for evolution: natural selection
Wrote Book: On the Origin of Species
Natural selections
Organisms that are best adapted to an environment survive and reproduce more than others
What are the two ideas about evolution?
Descent with modification, Common descent
Descent with modification
each living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time
Common descent
all living organisms are related to one another and came from one common ancestor
What evidence is there for evolution?
The fossil record, homologous body structures, vestigial structures, embryology, biochemistry
Structural adaptations
Changes to the physical features of the organism
Behavioral adaptions
Learned behaviors that help organisms to survive
Physiological adaptations
Automatic responses an organism’s body has to something
Divergent evolution
The process in which species that were once similar become dissimilar and results in a new species
Ex. Monkey, whale, pig, bird
Convergent Evolution
The process in which two distinct lineages evolve a similar characteristic of a different species
Ex. Shark, dolphin
Bottleneck
Occurs when a population declines to a low point, then rebounds
Example: Cheetah populations
Species
A group of closely related organisms that interbreed in nature and have the possibility of producing fertile offspring
Hybrid
The offspring of 2 different species (infertile)
Ex. Mule, Liger
Speciation
The evolution of a new species
Allopatric Speciation
A physical barrier divides one population into two or more populations leading to new species
Sympatric Speciation
A species evolves into a new species without a physical barrier, and live side by side through the process
Mimicry
An adaption in which an organism imitates another animal, plant, or objects in its environment
Ex. Eastern coral snake, scarlet king snake
Camouflage
An adaptation in which an organism blends in with their environment
Ex. Gecko
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain the same generation to generation
