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Evolution > Evolution Final Exam > Flashcards

Evolution Final Exam Flashcards

1
Q

What is the supposed age according to the Dark Ages?

A

5000 years old

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2
Q

When was the Origin of Species published?

A

1859

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3
Q

Who did Charles Darwin present with at the Linnean Society?

A

Alfred Wallace

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4
Q

Which of the following do vestigial structures fall under?

A

Microevolution or Comparative Anatomy

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5
Q

Differentiate between microevolution and macroevolution.

A

Microevolution - Species change over time. Change in allele frequency over time
Macroevolution - New species derive from older species. Beginnings of a new type of organism.

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6
Q

Explain significance of Darwin’s tree of life.

A

It shows that organisms are related and share common ancestors in branching patterns.

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7
Q

Outline Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, he built his theory off 4 main factors:

A
  1. Individuals of a species vary
  2. Some of this variation is passed down
  3. There’s more offspring produced each generation than can survive or it exceeds the carrying capacity
  4. Survival and reproduction are not random

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8
Q

Explain the pre-Darwin thinking about how species arise.

A
  • Species are fixed and are in the form they have and will always be in
  • The Earth is fairly young
  • The Great Chain of Being
  • God-created
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9
Q

This French naturalist developed the binomial classification system that is still used today.

A

Linnaeus

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10
Q

This scientific discipline focuses on both taxonomy and evolutionary relationships

A

Systematics

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11
Q

A visual representation of the evolutionary history of species or genes.

A

Phylogeny

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12
Q

A discrete heritable unit of information that consists of a certain nucleotide sequence.

A

Gene

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13
Q

A single genotype that is capable of producing a range of phenotypes depending on environmental conditions.

A

Phenotypic plasticity

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14
Q

In humans, approximately how many mutations are generated per cell generation?

A

64

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15
Q

Which of the following evolutionary forces always results in decreased genetic variation within a population?

A

Gene flow

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16
Q

Which of the following is considered the ‘raw’ material of evolution?

A

Genetic variation

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17
Q

Mendel’s law of independent assortment states that:

A

The inheritance of one allele is not dependent upon another allele

18
Q

Which of the following statements would be valid is using the Hardy-Weinburg Equilibrium as a null hypothesis?

A

Allele frequencies of a population sometimes change from one generation to the next

19
Q

Explain the difference between taxonomy and phylogenetics. In what instances might one discipline be more accurate than the other?

A

Taxonomy – scientific discipline of classifying and naming of organisms
Phylogenetics – Study of relationships among taxa (cladistics)

20
Q

Why are phylogenies considered hypotheses?

A

They are considered hypotheses because their true relationships can be neither confirmed nor denied. It is solely based on the data we have right now and what trees we can build based on fossils found or comparative anatomy.
- Data we have right now
- Rooted in the past

21
Q

Draw a phylogenetic tree with a monophyletic group, paraphyletic group, and polyphyletic group.

A

Monophyletic – ancestor + ALL descendants
Paraphyletic – most recent common ancestor and some, but NOT ALL descendants
Polyphyletic – includes distantly related species, but NOT common ancestor

22
Q

How does variation appear in natural populations?

A
  • Genetic variation - DNA > RNA > proteins (ex. hydrangea color)
  • environmental variation - how the outside environment affects the population (ex. daphnia)
  • genotype-by-environmental variation
23
Q

What are the allele frequencies for a population of 1000 with 625 dominant traits and 375 recessive traits?

A

.625 and .375

24
Q

Is the Hardy-Weinburg equation useful when studying natural populations? Why or why not?

A

No, because there are many other factors acting on the population that would cause the allele frequencies to be constantly changing. It could, however, be used as a null hypothesis for studying natural populations. Hardy-Weinburg is structured to where no mutation, selection, migration etc. is occurring. This is nearly impossible to accomplish in natural populations, so it cannot work. No gene flow is occuring.

25
Q

Selection acting upon a population of individuals ultimately results in:

A

Unequal fitness

26
Q

Batesian mimicry among some tropical butterflies is a good example of:

A

Frequency-dependent selection

27
Q

Cheetahs with longer limbs can reach greater speeds, however, their bones also become more fragile

A

Trade-offs

28
Q

Biologists now know that giraffes have long necks to:

A

Engage in male-male competition

29
Q

In nature, a male’s fitness is generally limited by:

A

the number of females he can mate with

30
Q

When the limiting sex selects mates (female choice) is called:

A

Intersexual selection

31
Q

Attractive traits that increase an individual’s mating success are known as

A

Ornaments

32
Q

Which of the following is an example of an indirect benefit resulting from female choice?

A

Good genes

33
Q

Under the species concept, species are defined as the smallest possible monophyletic groups:

A

Phylogenetic species

34
Q

Which of the following is an example of vicariance?

A

Continental drift separating a forest

35
Q

Why is selection stronger in males? Why is dimorphism created?

A

Males have higher fitness potential; females are the limiting species. Runaway selection, elaborate traits. Females invest more. Females develop a preference for a particular trait.

36
Q

Please discuss the various processes and mechanisms that keep species distinct, according to the Biological Species Concept.

A

Pre-zygotic and post-zygotic isolation, reproductive isolation, discuss different types.

37
Q

Please list and briefly explain three methods that biologists can employ to determine whether a trait is adaptive.

A

Comparative method - bats,
Observational studies - reptiles,
Experimental manipulation– tephrid flies

38
Q

Does natural selection produce organisms that are perfectly adapted to their environment? Why or why not?

A

Genetic constraints, trade-offs, physiological constraints, historical accidents, time lags. Environments change.

39
Q

Why did sexual reproduction evolve? Please discuss the advantages/disadvantages of sex, compared to asexual organisms.

A

Genetic variation – big one
Advantages:
Genetic variation, DNA recombination, DNA repair, Faster evolution, Avoidance of deleterious mutations
Disadvantages:
Slower, Reduced relatedness, Disease, Lower energy, Search cost

40
Q

In detail, please explain the process of how species arise.

A

A particular barrier will arise whether it is geographic or sympatric. Divergence, alleles change, genetic divergence, inhibition of gene flow

Evolution (1 decks)

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