EVOLUTION Flashcards
what is evolution
- a general term that may be defined as a change over time that occur in chemicals, matter, solar systems and language
what is biological evolution
- can be described as a genetic changes in a population of living organisms that are inherited over successive generations due to natural selection ultimately resulting in a new species
what is macro evolution
- this is the development of new life forms or species form earlier life forms over many generations
what is micro evolution
the variations that occur within a species. small changes originate in the gene pool resulting in small changes in the genotype of the species - these changes are passs onto the the offspring
is evolution a hypothesis or a theory
- a scientific theory
what is the origin of ideas about origins
- the earth was created 4.6 billion years ago and we evolved from one common ancestor that lead to the enormous biodiversity we currently have
what are the 5 factors that are evidence of evolution
fossil records
modification
biogeography
genetics
other forms of evidence (comparative biochemistry; vestigial organs and comparative embryology)
what are homologous structures
similar structures with the same body plan that perform different functions - these then used to provide evidence of a common ancestor
what is biogeography
- the study of the distribution of existing and extinct plant and animal species in specific geographical regions.
what are the 3 major observations when studying the natural environment
- biodiversity
- organisms are well adapted
- continuous changes
erasmus darwin
his ideas
- single common ancestor
- similarities of species mean the one species developed from another
- artificial selections and metamorphosis
jean baptiste de lamarck
his theory
- the use or disuse of organs may cause organs to increase or decrease in size
- during lifetime organisms acquire certain changes in characteristics that are inherited by their offspring
alfred wallace
worked along side charles darwin to publish an article on natural selection
charles darwin
4 main observations
- individuals of population produce more offspring than required to ensure survival
- a great deal of variation occurs within a population
- some individuals are better adapted and more likely to reproduce
- characteristics are transferred from surviving parents to offspring
what is darwin’s theory of natural selection
- a large number of offspring produced
- variation in a population
- struggle for survival
- survival of the fittest
- inheritance of favourable characteristics
- change occurs over time
- new species form
what is punctuated equilibrium
- the fossil records show us fast and rapid change not gradualism like darwin suggests - either the species could not adapt and died or it did but rapidly leading to speciation
- it explains the absence of transitional fossils
what is natural selection
- survival of the fittest “nature decides”
what is artificial selection
- in the deliberate breeding of plants and animals for desired characteristics that would not necessarily benefit the survival of offspring - sheep for wool, race horses for speed etc
differences between natural and artificial selection table
N
: environment acts as selection pressure
: characteristics are advantageous for survival in natural environments
: maintains variation
A
: humans decide
: characteristics not necessarily advantageous
: decreases variation