Exam Reveiw Evolution

Question 1

define evolution

Answer 1

Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the Earth.

Question 2

define speciation

Answer 2

Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Question 3

define niche

Answer 3

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

Question 4

define mutation

Answer 4

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can lead to new variations within a species.

Question 5

define selective pressure

Answer 5

Environmental factors that influence the survival and reproduction of individuals within a population, leading to natural selection.

Question 6

define adaptive radiation

Answer 6

The diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches.

Question 7

what are the types of evolution

Answer 7

Divergent Evolution: When two species evolve in different directions from a common point.

Convergent Evolution: When species from different ancestral origins evolve similar traits.

Parallel Evolution: When two related species evolve in similar ways over time, often in response to similar environmental challenges.

Question 8

What are the lines of evidence for evolution?

Answer 8

Fossil Record: Shows changes in species over time.
Comparative Anatomy: Similar structures (homologous structures) in different species.
Embryology: Similar embryonic development in different species.
Molecular Biology: DNA and genetic similarities among different species.
Biogeography: Distribution of species around the world supports patterns of evolution.

Question 9

What are the three types of selection and sketch a graph for each?

Answer 9

Stabilizing Selection: Favors the average phenotype.
Graph: High peak in the center of the curve.
Directional Selection: Favors one extreme phenotype.
Graph: Shift of the peak towards one end of the curve.
Disruptive Selection: Favors both extreme phenotypes.
Graph: Two peaks, one at each end of the curve.

Question 10

what contributions did charles darwin make

Answer 10

Charles Darwin: Proposed natural selection as a mechanism for evolution in “On the Origin of Species”.

Question 11

what contributions did jean baptiste lamarck make

Answer 11

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck: Suggested that organisms could pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring.

Question 12

what contributions did Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon make

Answer 12

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon: Proposed that species could change over time and suggested the idea of common ancestry.

Question 13

what contributins did charles lyell make

Answer 13

Charles Lyell: His work on uniformitarianism in geology influenced Darwin’s thinking about gradual change over time.

Question 14

what contributions did georges cuvier make

Answer 14

Georges Cuvier: Developed the theory of catastrophism and established extinction as a fact.

Question 15

Describe the differences between artificial and natural selection.

Answer 15

Artificial Selection: Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain traits are represented in future generations.
Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Question 16

what is needed for natural selection to occur

Answer 16

Requirements for Natural Selection:
Variation: Differences in traits within a population.
Heritability: Traits must be heritable.
Differential Reproduction: Some traits must confer a reproductive advantage.
Overproduction: More offspring are produced than can survive.

Question 17

Give three examples of homologous features

Answer 17

Homologous Features:
Forelimbs of mammals (human arm, bat wing, whale fin).
Vertebrate eyes.
Leaves of different plant species.

Question 18

Give three examples of analogous features

Answer 18

Vestigial Features:
Human appendix.
Pelvic bones in whales.
Wings in flightless birds.

Question 19

Give three examples of vestigial features

Answer 19

Analogous Features:
Wings of insects and birds.
Flippers of dolphins and penguins.
Eyes of octopus and mammals.

Question 20

what is the bottleneck effect

Answer 20

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities.

Question 21

what is genetic drift

Answer 21

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population, particularly in small populations.

Question 22

what is the founders effect

Answer 22

When a new population is started by a small number of individuals, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Question 23

Distinguish between microevolution and macroevolution.

Answer 23

Microevolution: Small-scale evolutionary changes within a species or population.

Macroevolution: Large-scale evolutionary changes that result in the formation of new species.

Question 24

Distinguish between prezygotic and postzygotic mechanisms

Answer 24

Prezygotic Mechanisms: Prevent mating or fertilization between species (e.g., temporal isolation, behavioral isolation, mechanical isolation).

Postzygotic Mechanisms: Occur after fertilization and reduce the viability or reproductive capacity of hybrid offspring (e.g., hybrid inviability, hybrid sterility).

Question 25

Why is the male the more ornamented species?

Answer 25

In many species, males are more ornamented because of sexual selection. This can occur through two main processes:
Female Choice: Females prefer males with certain traits, leading to those traits being more common.
Male Competition: Males compete with each other for access to females, and more ornamented males may have an advantage in these contests.