Evolution - Cliff Notes

Question 1

evolution

Answer 1

• changes in population, species, groups of species

- process by which the frequency of heritable traits in a population changes from one generation to the next

Question 2

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Answer 2

• one of earliest advocates for evolution
• use and disuse idea
• inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 3

use and disuse

Answer 3

body parts of organisms can develop w/ increased usage; unused parts weaken
-correct

Question 4

inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer 4

body features acquired during lifetime of an organism could be passed onto offspring
-incorrect

Question 5

Charles Darwin

Answer 5

• Origin of Species

- natural selection

Question 6

paleotology

Answer 6

provides fossils that reveal prehistoric existence of extinct species

• fossils found in sediment layers
• age of fossils found w/ C-14 dating

Question 7

5 pieces of evidence for evolution

Answer 7

paleontology (track changes), biogeography (distrib of species), embryology (stages in development), comparative anatomy, molecular biology

Question 8

biogeography

Answer 8

uses geography to describe distrib of species; unrelated species in diff regions of world look alike when found in similar enviro (eg. rabbits and wallaby; placental vs marsupial), comparative anatomy (similar structures)

Question 9

embryology

Answer 9

similar stages in development (ontogeny) among related species; similarities establish evolutionary relationships (phylogeny)

Question 10

comparative anatomy

Answer 10

2 kinds of structures that contribute to identification of evolutionary relationships among species (homologous, analogous)

Question 11

homologous structures (homologies)

Answer 11

body parts that resemble one another in diff species b/c they have evolved fr common ancestor; will resemble one another in pattern (how put together)

Question 12

vestigial

Answer 12

homologous structures that no longer serve any function (eg. limbs in snakes)

Question 13

analogous structures (analogies)

Answer 13

body parts that resemble one another in diff species, not b/c evolved fr common ancestor, but b/c evolved independently as adaptations to environments (eg fins and body shapes of sharks, penguins, porpoises_

Question 14

molecular biology

Answer 14

nucleotide and amino acid sequences of DNA and proteins fr diff species; closely related species share higher percentages of sequences than species distantly related
-all living things share same genetic code and w/ minor variations, the same basic biochem pathways (incl for replication, protein synth, respiration, photosynth)

Question 15

natural selection

Answer 15

differences in survival and reproduction among individuals in a population as a result of their interaction w/ the environment
-some individuals possess alleles/genotypes that generate traits/phenotypes that enable them to cope more successfully in their enviro
“survival of the fittest”, driving force of evolution
-acts on individual phenotypes already present in population
-does NOT cause mutations/create new phenotypes; only “selects”

Question 16

adaptations

Answer 16

superior inherited traits, increase fitness

Question 17

fitness

Answer 17

relative ability to survive and produce offspring

Question 18

Darwin’s arguments for theory of evolution

Answer 18

1. populations possess enormous reproductive potential
2. population size remains stable
3. resources are limited
4. individuals compete for survival
5. there is variation among individuals in a population
6. much variation is heritable (not b/c enviro influence, eg. radiation)
7. only the most fit individuals survive
8. evolution occurs as favorable traits accumulate in the population

Question 19

4 types of selection

Answer 19

stabilizing selection (eg. human height variation), directional selection (light/dark moths b/c industrialization), disruptive selection (eg. height variation in weeds of lawns and in wind); sexual selection (eg. weight variation in elephant seals)

Question 20

stabilizing selection

Answer 20

eliminates individuals that have extreme/unusual traits; most common form of a trait = best adapted
-maintains existing population frequencies

Question 21

directional selection

Answer 21

favors traits that are at one extreme of range of traits; traits at opposite extreme selected against (eg. Darwin finches and beak size)

Question 22

insecticide resisitance

Answer 22

• direction selection

- chooses insects resistant to pesticide

Question 23

peppered moth

Answer 23

• directional selection

- w/ soot, dark form of moth became better camouflaged

Question 24

industrial memlanism

Answer 24

changes in enviro conditions promote evolution

selection of dark-colored varieties in various species of moths as a result of industrial pollution

Question 25

season creep

Answer 25

shortening of inters and earlier arrivals of spring due to global climate change
-selection fro plants that germinate and flower earlier; invasive plant species favored

Question 26

disruptive/diversifying selection

Answer 26

enviro favors extreme unusual traits, while selecting against common traits
-in wild, tall weeds favored, but in lawns, short forms exist)

Question 27

sexyak sekectuib

Answer 27

• mating of males/females in a population
• females usually make greater energy investment in producing offspring, can increase fitness by increasing quality of offspring by choosing superior males
• males increase fitness by maximizing quantity of offspring produced

Question 28

male competition

Answer 28

contests of strength that award mating opportunities to strongest males

Question 29

female choice

Answer 29

leads to traits/behaviors in males that are attractive to females

Question 30

sexual dimorphism

Answer 30

differences in appearance of males and females

-disruptive selection

Question 31

artificial selection

Answer 31

directional selection
-carried out by humans when so when sow seeds/breed animals w/ desirable traits (eg. dogs, brussel sprouts, broccoli, etc)