Evolution and Taxonomy

Question 1

Adaption

Answer 1

A change that allows an organism to be better suited to its environment.

Question 2

Allopatric Speciation

Answer 2

Geographic speciation, through which two populations of a species are physically separated, so natural selection occurs on both populations separately, allowing the two populations to gradually become two different species over time.

Question 3

Analogous Structures

Answer 3

Parts that have the same function but not the same structure.

Question 4

Archaea

Answer 4

A term for archaebacteria, a domain of organisms that includes bacteria that live in extreme environments.

Question 5

Binomial Nomenclature

Answer 5

The process of naming organisms that includes their genus and then their species.

Question 6

Biodiversity

Answer 6

Genetic variation, or diversity with characteristics in life/between organisms.

Question 7

Biotic

Answer 7

Relating to living things.

Question 8

Class

Answer 8

A taxonomic level close to the middle of most general and most specific.

Question 9

Comparative Anatomy

Answer 9

A source of evidence for evolution that includes comparing different parts of different organisms to find similarities and differences between them. The method includes using homologous parts, analogous parts, vestigial parts, and embryonic growth.

Question 10

Darwin

Answer 10

Charles Darwin, the scientist who first suggested that natural selection is the mechanism behind evolution.

Question 11

Domain

Answer 11

The most general taxonomic level. There are three domains, Eukarya, Eubacteria, and Archaebacteria.

Question 12

Embryonic Growth

Answer 12

A part of comparative anatomy that compares embryos of different species to find similarities and differences that may not be so obvious later in life.

Question 13

Evolution

Answer 13

The process by which living things (organisms) grow, change, and develop over time from earlier forms.

Question 14

Family

Answer 14

A taxonomic level that is closer to the most specific end of the spectrum.

Question 15

Fossil Record

Answer 15

A source of evidence for evolution that includes finding fossils and then placing them in order using sedimentary layer dating or radioactive dating. The differences between consecutive fossils show evolution.

Question 16

Fungi

Answer 16

A kingdom within Eukarya that includes heterotrophs with cell walls that can be uni- or multicellular.

Question 17

Galapagos Islands

Answer 17

The group of islands where Charles Darwin conducted most of his evolution research, mostly on birds like finches.

Question 18

Geographic Isolation

Answer 18

Can lead to speciation, because it may separate two populations of a species, allowing natural selection to affect both populations differently. Over time, the populations can become two different species.

Question 19

Gradualism

Answer 19

The theory that evolution occurs gradually, over time, rather than spontaneously and out of nowhere.

Question 20

Homologous Structures

Answer 20

Parts that have the same structure in different organisms but not necessarily the same function.

Question 21

Kingdom

Answer 21

A taxonomic level that is the second most general.

Question 22

Lamarck

Answer 22

A French naturalist who worked thoroughly on classifying organisms using taxonomy.

Question 23

Molecular Biology/Genetics

Answer 23

A source of evidence for evolution that includes comparing DNA samples from two different species. The more DNA in common that they have, the more likely it is that they share a relatively recent common ancestor.

Question 24

Natural Selection

Answer 24

The process by which evolution occurs, including how the fittest to survive will do just that, while organisms that are not suited to their environment will not survive long enough to reproduce.

Question 25

Phylum

Answer 25

A taxonomic level that is close to the most general level.

Question 26

Punctuated Equilibrium

Answer 26

The hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change.

Question 27

Speciation

Answer 27

The process of a new species forming, most often through geographic isolation.

Question 28

Species

Answer 28

A group of organisms with similar characteristics that are able to mate with each other to produce fertile, viable offspring.

Question 29

Sympatric Speciation

Answer 29

The process through which a new species is created while the ancestral species is inhibiting the same geographic region.

Question 30

Taxonomy

Answer 30

The study of classifying organisms into categories based on the similarities and differences they have with other organisms.

Question 31

Theory

Answer 31

A set of principles or ideas that is intended to explain some phenomenon or rule.

Question 32

Vestigial Parts

Answer 32

Parts that are no longer in use or functional, indicating that some previous ancestor did indeed use them.