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Evolution Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What does it mean to be extinct

A

a species that has completely disappeared from the earth

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2
Q

What is an adaptation

A

A structural, behavioural, or physiological process that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.
Structural - Vision of an owl + Camoflauge
Behavioural - Nocturnal bat
Physiological - Hibernation

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3
Q

What is hibernation

A

Hibernation is a physiological adaptation where organisms reduce metabolism to save energy.

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4
Q

What is Mimicry

A

a structural adaptation in which a harmless species resembles a harmful species in coloration or structure (predators avioding monarch butterflies, but also viceroy butterflies because they mimic monarchs)

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5
Q

How do adaptations develop?

A

Adaptations are a result of gradual, accumulative changes that help an organism survive and reproduce. Variations are structural, functional, or physiological differences between individuals. NOT ALL variations become adaptations.

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6
Q

Significance of Peppered Moth

A

There were three varieties of the peppered moth in manchester England. Black was the most rare because they were easy to spot on tree covered in light-coloured lichen. As the industrial revolution came around, soot covered the trees and black moths became prominent over every generation. After the bill was passed for clean air legislation, soot decreased, trees started producing lichen and the black moths rarity increased again.

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7
Q

What is variation within species

A

This variety of species is achieved through genetic information. Genetic variation in a population results from the variety of genetic information in all individuals in a population

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8
Q

What are mutations

A

Mutations are permanent changes in genetic material of an organism; the only source of new genetic variation. Mutations can happen spontaneously in DNA duplication (S phase) or even caused by UV radiation and other environmental agents. They only become adaptations if they help the species, they can have a positive, negative or neutral effect

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9
Q

Difference between mutations in somatic cells and gametes

A

mutation disappears from the population when the organism dies if it is in a somatic cell. If the mutation is in a gamete, it has the ability to be passed on to further generations.

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10
Q

What is a selective advantage

A

A genetic advantage that improves an organism’s chance of survival, usually in a changing environment. This happens over time.

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11
Q

What is natural selection

A

Natural selection is the process by which characteristics of a population change over many generations as organisms with heritable traits survive and reproduce passing their traits to their offspring. The environment is the selective agent as this process happens naturally and it is much slower than artificial selection. It has no purpose or direction, so it is situational

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12
Q

What is selective pressure

A

Environmental conditions (biotic or abiotic) that select for certain characteristics of individuals and select against other characteristics.

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13
Q

What is fitness

A

Fitness is the relative contribution a individual makes to the next generation by producing offspring that will survive long enough to reproduce. High fitness meaning the organism will survive and reproduce thereby passing its advantageous traits to its offspring.

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14
Q

What is artificial selection

A

The selective pressure exerted by humans on populations in order to improve or modify particular desirable traits, a type of biotechnology

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15
Q

What is biotechnology

A

The use of technology and organisms to produce useful products.

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16
Q

What is the Illinois Experiment Station story of 1896

A

Corn plants with high oil contents were bred together and plants with low contents were bred together and corn oil increased to 18% in the higher population and to 1% in the lower population showing the use of artificial selection in crops for human advantage

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17
Q

Consequences of Artificial selection

A

English bulldogs that are selectively bred for their flat faces faced severe respiratory problems. German shepherds have a common type of arthritis called hip dysplasia.

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18
Q

What is a monoculture

A

extensive plantings of the same varieties of a species over a large expanse of land.

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19
Q

What are gene banks

A

to prevent disasters that kill whole populations, gene banks contain populations of early ancestors of modern plants if the need for them arises.

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20
Q

What is paleontology

A

The study of ancient life through the examination of fossils

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21
Q

What is catastrophism

A

the idea that catastrophes such as floods, diseases, and droughts periodically destroyed species living in a particular region allowing species from other regions to repopulate the area or multiple creationism

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22
Q

What is uniformitarianism

A

Charles Lyell’s theory based o hutton’s theory that geological process operated at the same rates in the past as they do today.

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23
Q

What is the inheritance of acquired characteristics

A

The idea that characteristics acquired during an organism’s lifetime can be passed to its offspring (Wrong on talking about single organism, right that it has the environment as the selective agent)

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24
Q

Theory of evolution by natural selection

A

a theory explaining how life has changed, and continues to change during Earth’s history

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25
Q

What is evolution

A

The process of genetic change in a population over time.

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26
Q

What is the Survival of the fittest

A

the idea that the fittest organisms leave the most offspring, so those organisms win for survival because of the advantageous characteristics passed down by the fittest

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27
Q

What is descent with modification

A

Darwin’s theory that natural selection does not demonstrate progress, but merely results from a specie’s ability to survive local conditions at a specific time

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28
Q

What is a fossil record

A

Sedimentary rock with fossils provides a fossil record of the history of life by showing the kinds of species that were alive in the past.

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29
Q

What evidence does a fossil record provide

A

Fossils found in young layers of rock are similar to species alive today, fossils appear in chronological order in rock layers, not all organisms appear int he fossil record at the same time showing evolution from an ancestor

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30
Q

What is a traditional fossil

A

A fossil that shows intermediary links between groups of organisms and shares characteristics common to two now separate groups. Example includes linking present day whales to terrestrial ancestors

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31
Q

What is a vestigial structure

A

A structure that is a reduced version of a structure that was functional in the organism’s ancestor, an example of this includes pelvic bone in the dorudon whale and baleen whales. Earlier forms of this whale with a more developed pelvis had heavier leg bones allowing it to live on land as well. This supports the theory of evolution by natural selection because over many generations, the species adapted to its environment of water from its terrestrial ancestor. Molar, expendix, ear muscles.

32
Q

What is a homologous structure?

A

Structure that have similar structural elements and origin but may have a different function. An example of this includes vertebrate forearms. Humans, frogs, bats, porpoises, and horses all have the same basic arrangement of bones however each are developed for a specific function. Bones in bat wings are light to allow flight and bones in horse arms are heavy and strong for running and carrying the immense weight. This helps prove the theory of evolution by natural selection because these homologous structures in each species evolved from a common ancestor under the influence of each new specie’s environment (Natural selection) hand bones in animal wings.

33
Q

What are Analogous structures?

A

Structures of organisms that do not have a common evolutionary origin but perform similar functions. An example of analogous structures include mammal hair. All mammal hair has the same basic structure with the central medulla surrounded by a dense cortex which contains the pigment that gives hair colour. However, different mammals will have different hair in terms of length, density like the stout, strong hairs of a porcupine and the Soft and fluffy underfur of a musk-ox. Each of these species’ hair has adapted for fitness in their environment based on it as well making the environment the selective agent and proving the theory of evolution by natural selection.WINGS.

34
Q

What are all types of evidence to prove origin of species/theory of evolution

A

DNA, Embryology, Anatomy (Homologous, Analogous, and vestigial), Biogeography, and Fossils

35
Q

What evidence proves most of Darwin and Wallace’s conclusions?

A

The study of biogeography which studies the past and present geographical distribution of species populations.

36
Q

Who is Baron Georges Cuvier?

A

Scientist that stated the theory of catastrophism which said that catastrophes destroyed species in a region and allowed for other species to repopulate the area. The strengths of this theory was that is was based on explaining that fossils were of extinct species. Its weakness was not being able to explain the progressive complexity of species found in these fossils

37
Q

Who is Sir Charles Lyell

A

Came up with the theory of uniformitarianism which states that geological processes operated at the same rates in the past as they do in the present and these subtle processes lead to substantial change over time in the Earth. This helped Darwin think about if the theory could be applied to species of organisms. He published this work in the principles of geology book

38
Q

Who is Lamarack

A

Scientist that recognized the key role that the environment plays in evolution. He came up with the theory of inheritance of acquired traits which sates that traits developed by organism in its lifetime can be passed on to its offspring. He was wrong when he was talking about a single organism, but right when identifying the environment as the selective agent

39
Q

Who is Charles Darwin

A

Commonly known as the father of evolution, Darwin came up with the theory of evolution by natural selection which states that life has changed and continues to change during earth’s history. He also called survival of the fittest Natural selection. Read Lyell’s book to help him apply geology principles to populations of species. Took 5 year trip on HMS beagle to galapagos island off coast of south america and noticed that species of animals were similar to those of mainland, however different amongst each other on the island. He specifically looked at finches and Tortoises. after presenting the theory with wallace, darwin went on to publish The origin of species with more detailed finidngs and information he had collected prior to presenting. Darwin also read Malthus’ essay on principles of population to come up with natural selection being about animals competing and passing good traits on to offspring

40
Q

Who is alfred wallace

A

Came to very similar conclusions separately with respect to Darwin and evolution and presented the Theory of evolution by natural selection with Darwin.

41
Q

Who is thomas malthus

A

An economist that wrote principles of population (essay) stating that populations produced more offspring than their environment could support in ways like food or predators, etc. This helped Darwin reach the conclusion that animals had to compete or struggle to survive and those who did past their traits to their offspring for species continuation

42
Q

What was darwins evidence that life forms change over time and vary place to place

A
  1. Plants and animals observed in the temperate regions of south america were more simmilar to plants and animals in the south american tropics.
  2. Darwin found fossils of extinct animals that looked very similar to those of present-day animals
  3. Animals such as tortoises and finches varied from island to island (over 13 types of finches discovered)
  4. Lyell’s principles of geology stating that Earth went through and continues to go through slow and gradual changes
  5. Darwin applied Lyell’s theory to species of populations
43
Q

How did darwin investigate variations in species

A

He artificially bred pigeons and realized that all species have inherited variations that can be selected by man

44
Q

How does a hypothesis differ from a theory?

A

A hypothesis is a statement that provides one possible answer to a question or observation and are then tested to determine their validity. A theory is when a hypothesis consistently leads to successful predictions and explanations synthesized into one general statement

45
Q

What were many early ideas about origins of species based from

A

Religion and philosophy

46
Q

How does Linnaeus’s system of classification help

A

Allowed recognizing similarities and differences between organisms

47
Q

What did Buffon note in his work

A

His work went against religious and philisophical beliefs by saying humans and apes have a common ancestor and Earth was much older than 6000 years

48
Q

What are fossils

A

Fossils are preserved remains of a once-living organism preserved in amber, permafrost, dry caves, and commonly rock

49
Q

What does the orchid mantis do

A

The orchid mantis is able to appear as a blooming orchid and uses this advantage to easily obtain food.

50
Q

What is intersexual selection

A

Selection based on animals (usually males) trying to attract a member of the opposite sex. Many species use this tactic

51
Q

What is intrasexual selection

A

Based on males fighting, intimidating, or deterring each other. Most animals get violent towards animals of the same gender during mating season

52
Q

What is an example of non-random mating

A

Inbreeding, animals tend to not mate randomly

53
Q

How do mosquitoes become resistant to pesticides

A

Some mosquitoes will not get killed off (1-5%), they survive, pass resistance to offspring, offspring reproduce. Read’s method says to dilute the pesticide, only killing bugs past reproductive age which means not selecting for mosquitoes which are resistant to the pesticide.

54
Q

What is a pheromone

A

Chemical substance secreted by an animal that causes a reaction in members of its own species. Used to warn predators, mark territory, signal danger, etc.

55
Q

Examples of warning/signalling

A

Animals that are highly noticeable: bright colours or distinct regions usually meaning their venomous. Defense mechanisms include venom, stings, fangs, and repellant

56
Q

What is protective resemblance

A

Evolvement of a species to increase chance of survival, using markings, colour, or shape and sound.

57
Q

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics

A

Improper use can lead to mutant bacteria that produce offspring resistant to the treatment

58
Q

What are the 6 main types of evidence

A

Fossils, biogeography, homologous and analogous structures, vestigial structures, embryology, and molecular biology

59
Q

What are derived traits?

A

Newly evolved features, such as feathers, that do not appear in the fossils of common ancestors

60
Q
A
61
Q

What is Gene flow? Give an example ?

A

Any migration of genes (alleles) from one population to another. If genes are carried to a population where those jeans previously did not exist, gene flow can be a very important source of genetic variation. Change allele frequency in both populations. Example is juvenile male wolves or lions being driven out of the pack to avoid inbreeding.

62
Q

What is Genetic drift? Give an example.

A

When populations are small, chance can play a significant role in altering allele frequencies. And example is if 1 out of 50 frogs carries a particular gene it is much more likely to be spread than in a much larger population. This is bad because if there is a particular disease or toxin that attacks that allele the whole population could be wiped out. Will result in extreme jump or extinction of the allele no in between.

63
Q

What is the bottleneck effect? Give an example.

A

A dramatic reduction in population size, resulting in a significant drift in gene distribution. This can result in a population having extremely similar genetics (genetically identical) An example is cheetahs and elephant seals. This can result in one disease wiping out a whole population.

64
Q

What is the Founder effect? Give an example.

A

When a small number if individuals separate from their original population and start a new population, this also results in genetic drift. An example is an Amish Community in Pennsylvania are all the citizens of 30 people, one of the founders had a rare recessive allele that cause short limbs therefore the frequency of this alleles that is 7% compared to 0.1% and most populations

65
Q

What is evidence from biogeography?

A

Similar animals are found in different locations around the world. Animals ended up evolving similar features for their environment, because of their location on earth. They look the same but live in different areas. This is because of Pangaea spreading into Gondwana and Laurasia. Then eventually the

66
Q

What is embryology? Give examples

A

Comparing embryos. An embryo is the earliest stage of growth and development of both plants and animals. Animal embryos have similar stages of embryonic development indicating a common ancestor. An example is all vertebrae embryos have paired pouches that turn into the throat. And fish they develop into girls but a human to become part of ears and throat.

67
Q

What is evidence from molecular biology? Give examples.

A

Molecular biology is the comparison of DNA or RNA different species producing bio chemical evidence of evolution. Common ancestry can be seen in the complex metabolic molecules that many different organisms share. Comparing in amino acids and proteins across species reflect evolution airy pattern seen in comparative anatomy and in the fossil record. And example of this is a human and monkeys having an 8 amino acid difference which is very close compared to humans and frogs having 67 different.

68
Q

What is a gene pool? Give an example

A

A gene pool is the set of all genes or genetic information in a population. Usually of a particular species. Example is frogs in a pond or trees in a forest.

69
Q

What is non random mating? Give an example.

A

Mating among individuals on the basis of mate selection for a particular phenotype or do to inbreeding. An example of this breeding occurs in species like humans, peacocks, and frogs.

70
Q

What is interbreeding?

A

The act of mixing different species or varieties of animals and plants to produce a hybrid. Changing the gene pool of a population. An example is diffrent species or dogs.

71
Q

Diffrence between interbreeding and inbreeding.

A

Inbreeding is mating between blood relatives. Interbreeding is the mating between unrelated animals from different species or different type of animal to produce a hybrid (cross bred).

72
Q

What is sexual selection?

A

Natural selection for mating based, in general, on competition between males through combat or visual display and choices made by females. Examples of this include the fighting of caribou over females, the colourful feathers and inflated air sacs in grouse and antlers in male deer.

73
Q

What is speciation

A

formation of new species from existing species

74
Q

What are the two types of prezygotic isolation

A

Prevention of mating and prevention of fertilization

75
Q

What is the post-zygotic isolating mechanism

A

prevention of hybrids by either stopping zygote in development, sterile offspring or if the first generation makes it by, their offspring will be weak or sterile

76
Q

What is divergent evolution

A

The future generations of a species become increasingly distinct from its ancestors due to adapting to its environment eventually developing into two different species

77
Q

What is convergent evolution

A

Two unrelated species that share similar traits as they have had to adapt to similar environmental conditions like birds and bees with wings.

Biology (4 decks)

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