Lecture 1

Question 1

Symmorphosis

Answer 1

structure and function are optimally matched

Question 2

Are there environmental or evolutionary or physical constraints on traits.

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

What are comparative biologists interested in?

Answer 3

How animals evolve, Environment changes, Learning something about our own physiology

Question 4

Extant

Answer 4

species that are alive today - opposite of extinct

Question 5

List of major environmental transitions

Answer 5

Salt to Fresh Water (and back again), Water to land (and back again), Wet to Dry Terrestrial Habitat:

Question 6

Genotype

Answer 6

Inherited from 1 or more parents

Question 7

Example of a self fertilizing hermaphrodite

Answer 7

The mangrove rivulus is one of several of “selfing” vertebrates.

Question 8

Homologous structures

Answer 8

share a similar evolutionary path but may serve different functions, Descent with modification

Question 9

Analogous structures

Answer 9

share a similar function but a different evolutionary path

Question 10

Convergent evolution

Answer 10

Evolved similar functions as another based on environmental pressures - not same evolution

Question 11

Evolution

Answer 11

change in the proportion of a population with a heritable trait over time

Question 12

Four ways to change evolution

Answer 12

Gene mutations, Genetic drift, Gene migration / gene flow, Natural selection

Question 13

Adaptations

Answer 13

a trait that evolved by natural selection

Question 14

List of adaptations

Answer 14

Variable, Heritable, Confer a fitness benefit (reproductive / survival benefit)

Question 15

Exaptations

Answer 15

traits that have been co-opted for a purpose other than what they were first evolved for natural selection

Question 16

True or False: Natural selection acts on genes not phenotypes.

Answer 16

Natural selection acts on phenotypes not genes.

Question 17

Vestigial structures

Answer 17

ancestral traits that are no longer useful

Question 18

Is it true that “Not all adaptive traits are adaptations and not all traits that were adaptations are still adaptive.”

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

Describe developmental plasticity

Answer 19

a single genotype can produce multiple phenotypes based on rearing environment

Question 20

Describe adult phenotypic plasticity

Answer 20

a single genotype can produce multiple phenotypes in response to the environment

Question 21

What is homeostasis?

Answer 21

using negative feedback allows animals to keep their internal environment constant

Question 22

do all animals regulate their internal environment?

Answer 22

No