Evolution terminology Flashcards
Revise key terminology
study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms
paleontology
species
group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated
the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals
biogeography
the study of differences in chemical processes among species
comparative biochemistry
the comparative study of embryos of different species
comparative embryology
the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment
phenotype
continental drift
the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time
comparative biochemistry
the study of differences in chemical processes among species
selective breeding
(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits
structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.
analogous structures
production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related
inbreeding
major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time
macro-evolution
the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species
comparative anatomy
period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame
mass extinction
a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell
meiosis
comparative anatomy
the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species
paleontology
study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms
the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time
continental drift
analogous structures
structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.
mass extinction
period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame
any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations
biological evolution
biological evolution
any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations
the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution
speciation
homologous structures
structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor
macro-evolution
major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time
the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth
evolution
group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated
species
production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated
outbreeding
population
group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely
a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.
genetic bottleneck
natural selection
the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period
micro-evolution
comparative embryology
the comparative study of embryos of different species
a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait
genotype
the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
natural selection
biogeography
the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals
the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form
fossil
(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits
selective breeding
group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely
population
anthropology
the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development
archaeology
the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains
structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor
homologous structures
micro-evolution
evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period
process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms
permineralisation
permineralisation
process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms
genetic bottleneck
a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.
plate tectonics
theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth’s plates
inbreeding
production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related
the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development
anthropology
genotype
a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait
fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form
phenotype
the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment
evolution
the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth
outbreeding
production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated
the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains
archaeology
theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth’s plates
plate tectonics
meiosis
a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell
speciation
the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution
