LECTURE 04: INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION

Question 1

WHAT IS EVOLUTION ?

Answer 1

the process by which populations of organisms change over generations through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.

Question 2

WHAT IS DIVERSIFICATION OF LINEAGES ?

Answer 2

processes by which different evolutionary path arise from a common ancestor.

leads to variety of species and forms.

Question 3

WHAT’S A COMMON ANCESTOR

Answer 3

an organism from which two or more descendant species have evolved.

Question 4

WHAT IS MACROEVOLUTION ?

Answer 4

a large scale evolutionary changes that occur over extended periods.

such as the emergence of new species etc.

Question 5

WHAT’S MICROEVOLUTION ?

Answer 5

small-scale changes within a species or population,

such as shifts in allele frequencies due to mechanisms

like natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.

Question 6

DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION

Answer 6

organisms become better suited to their environment through evolutionary changes in traits that enhance survival and reproductive success.

Question 7

WHAT’S SPECIATION ?

Answer 7

evolutionary process by which new species arise. It can occur through mechanisms such as allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.

Question 8

WHAT’S ARTIFICIAL SELECTION ?

Answer 8

process by which humans selectively breed organisms for specific traits, leading to changes in the genetic makeup of a population.

commonly seen with farmers and crops

Question 9

WHAT’S NESTED CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS ?

Answer 9

hierarchical organization of living organisms based on shared characteristics

Question 10

BIOGEOGRAPHY

Answer 10

he study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Question 11

FOSSIL RECORD

Answer 11

Collection of preserved remains, impressions, or traces of ancient organisms found in sedimentary rocks.

Question 12

WHY ARE FOSSIL RECORDS IMPORTANT ?

Answer 12

It provides evidence for evolution, showing how species have changed over time.

Question 13

WHAT’S COMPARATIVE ANATOMY ?

Answer 13

the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different organisms.

Question 14

WHY IS COMPARATIVE ANATOMY IMPORTANT ?

Answer 14

Helps to identify homologous structures and understand evolutionary relationships

Question 15

WHAT ARE HOMOLOGOUS STRUCTURES ?

Answer 15

structures that are features that share a common ancestry related by descent (common ancestry).

ex: forelimbs of humans, whales, and bats

Question 16

WHAT ARE ANALOGOUS STRUCTURES ?

Answer 16

features in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

ex: wings of insects and birds

Question 17

WHAT IS COMPARATIVE EMBRYOLOGY ?

Answer 17

the study of the similarities and differences in the embryonic development of different species.

provides evidence for common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.

Question 18

WHAT ARE VESTIGIAL STRUCTURES ?

Answer 18

anatomical features that have lost most or all of their original function through evolution.

Question 19

WHAT ARE MOLECULAR HOMOLOGIES ?

Answer 19

similarities in the DNA, RNA, or protein sequences of different organisms that indicate a common ancestry.

Question 20

WHATS GLO PSEUDOGENE ?

Answer 20

A non-functional gene in humans that is a remnant of a functional gene involved in the synthesis of vitamin C in other mammals.