Lecture 13

Question 1

Trait vs taxon

Answer 1

A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has whereas a taxon is a collection of one or more populations of organisms

Question 2

Allele

Answer 2

one of two or more versions of DNA sequence (a single base or a segment of bases) at a given genomic location

Question 3

Complexity

Answer 3

a measure of the intricateness, or complication, of a biological organism that is directly related to thatorganism’s ability to successfully function in a complex environment

Question 4

Irreducible complexity

Answer 4

the argument that certain biological systems with multiple interacting parts would not function if one of the parts were removed

Question 5

Key innovation

Answer 5

a novel phenotypic trait that allows subsequent radiation and success of a taxonomic group

Question 6

Living fossil

Answer 6

species discovered first as a fossil and believed extinct, but which is later found living

Question 7

Molecular clock

Answer 7

The background rate of mutation, often of invisible mutations

Question 8

Punctuated equilibrium

Answer 8

the idea that evolution occurs in spurts instead of following the slow, but steady path

Question 9

Gradual speciation

Answer 9

species diverge gradually over time in small steps