First “unit”

Question 1

Define Biodiversity

Answer 1

Variety of life at every level (genetic, species, ecosystem)

Question 2

Define Evolution

Answer 2

Descent with Modification OR change in the genetic makeup of a population from generation to generation

Question 3

Lamarck’s belief

Answer 3

Traits that were used more increased and were passed on, while less used traits dwindled. He also believed that species have a tendency to grow in size and complexity

Question 4

Define Adaptation

Answer 4

Inherited characteristics that provide a survival and/or reproductive advantage for the individual in its specific environment

Question 5

Define Homology

Answer 5

(Physiological) Similarities resulting from common ancestry

Note: pseudogenes are the same, just on a genetic level

Question 6

Define Vestigial Structures

Answer 6

Remnants of features that used to serve a purpose for the organism’s ancestors (ex: snake leg bones)

Question 7

Define Convergent Evolution

Answer 7

Two organisms that individually evolve similar traits

Question 8

Define both Analogous and Homologous features

Answer 8

Analogous: similar function, no common ancestry

Homologous: common ancestry, not necessarily any similar function

Question 9

What do geography and paleontology tell us about evolution?

Answer 9

Biogeography (continental drift) tells us where we should expect to find certain fossils, fossils document the pattern of evolution,

Question 10

What was Lyell’s theory of Uniformitarianism?

Answer 10

Geological patterns are created by presently observable forces and build over time into big differences

Question 11

What was Malthus’ theory

Answer 11

Population growth will always outrun food supply (what the environment can support)

Question 12

What are the basics of Darwin’s theory of evolution?

Answer 12

Variation, heritability, potential for increase, reproductive success, successful traits increase

Question 13

Who was Gregor Mendel?

Answer 13

Discovered & recorded heredity through pea plants

Question 14

Where does most genetic variation come from?

Answer 14

Mutation, such as chromosomes breaking, getting lost or moved

Question 15

Define Punctuated Equilibrium

Answer 15

When the fossil record includes new species which appear, persist unchanged through several strata, and then disappear

Question 16

Define Polygenic inheritance

Answer 16

When multiple genes independently influence a single trait

Question 17

List the 5 conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Answer 17

1- No mutations
2- random mating
3- no natural selection
4-no gene flow
5- very large population size

Question 18

What are the five causes of evolution?

Answer 18

1-genetic drift (fluctuation in gene frq)
2- gene flow (gene exchange btwn pop.)
3-mutation
4- non-random mating
5- natural selection

Question 19

What are the three ways selection acts on a population?

Answer 19

1- stabilizing (favor avg.)
2- directional (favors one extreme)
3- disruptive (favors both extremes)

Question 20

What are the two main forms of sexual selection?

Answer 20

1) first mate choice
2) intra-sexual competition

Question 21

What are neutral alleles?

Answer 21

Alleles that are similar in fitness or don’t change the amino acid sequence, thus having little effect on phenotype (gen. Drift tends to act against these)

Question 22

Define heterozygous advantage

Answer 22

Heterozygous individuals are more fit than homozygous individuals

Question 23

Frequency dependent selection

Answer 23

Rare/less common allele is more fit

Question 24

How do advantageous traits vary in time & environment

Answer 24

Selection favors different alleles at different times

Question 25

Macroevolution

Answer 25

Evolution above the species level

Question 26

What are adaptive radiations and what causes them?

Answer 26

Radiations are sets of species that “radiate” from a common ancestor in a shared environment in order to fill ecological niches

Causes:
Vacancies (colonization or extinction)
Evolutionary novelties

Question 27

What is the biological species concept?

Answer 27

The idea that a population or group of populations that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring are the same species

Question 28

What is a ring species?

Answer 28

Two populations that don’t interbreed but are still connected by interbreeding populations

Question 29

Name the three other concepts for classification of species

Answer 29

Morphological species concept (class based on similar structures and appearance)
Phylogenetic species concept (only the smallest group of related organisms)
Genetic species concept (genetically compatible populations, not necessarily interbreeding, but compatible)

Question 30

List the pre and post zygotic barriers

Answer 30

Pre-
Habitat isolation
Behavioral isolation
Temporal isolation
Mechanical isolation
Gametic isolation

Post-
Reduced hybrid viability
Reduced hybrid fertility
Hybrid breakdown

Question 31

Explain Allopatric speciation and Sympatric speciation

Answer 31

Allopatric:
Isolated by geographic barriers

Sympatric:
Same environment, isolated by behavior or something

Question 32

Define hybrid zone

Answer 32

An area of land where members of different species meet and mate

Question 33

Define fusion

Answer 33

Weakening of reproductive barriers that eventually cause hybridizing species to fuse into one species

Question 34

Define stability

Answer 34

Hybrid zones where hybrids continue to reproduce

Question 35

What is the Endosymbiosis theory?

Answer 35

A hypothesis which states that eukaryotes originate from prokaryotes that have been engulfed by larger cells to form organelles

Question 36

Define reinforcement

Answer 36

Barriers to reproduction are stronger within Sympatric populations than they are in Allopatric pops

Question 37

What type of speciation commonly occurs within plants?

Answer 37

Sympatric speciation, usually through polyploidy (organism with more chromosomes than normal)

Question 38

Define systematics

Answer 38

The study of relationships between organisms and their classification/naming (genus+epithet)

Question 39

Name the three types of phyletic groups:

Answer 39

Monophyletic, all descendants and the common ancestor
Polyphyletic: two branches, no common ancestor
Paraphyletic: common ancestor, not all descendants

Question 40

Which axis matters on a family/species tree?

Answer 40

The marked axis, which is relative time

Question 41

Define the principle of parsimony

Answer 41

Like Occam’s razor, the most simple answer is likely the right one