Life Science Final Study Flashcards
What is the purpose of the evolutionary tree of life?
The evolutionary tree shows how organisms are related/what their common ancestor was.
What is evolution?
Evolution is the change in a species overtime.
What is scientific theory supported by?
EVIDENCE
How do fossils show evidence for evolution?
Fossils support evidence for evolution because they show a lot of similarity’s in different species; Species look different today than how they looked in the past, so we know that species change overtime.
How does adaptations support the theory of evolution?
Adaptations enables better survival and reproduction compared with other members of the species, leading to evolution.
How does selective breeding/ artificial selection support the theory of evolution?
If humans can change the species to evolve, then is is likely that this can occur naturally as well.
How does anatomical structures (homologous) support evidence for evolution?
Homologous Structures have similar structures in lots of different species that are used for very different things.
How does patterns in embryonic development support evidence for evolution?
Early in development, more related species look very similar, showing evidence for common ancesty.
How does similarities in DNA and proteins support evidence for evolution?
The genetic code for proteins show that all life once shared a common ancestor, meaning that everything used to have the same DNA (a very long time ago)
How does observations of evolution support the theory of evolution?
Homologous structures provide evidence for common ancestry and analogous structures show that similar selective pressures can provide similar adaptations.
What is the difference between divergent evolution (which creates organisms with homologous structures) and convergent evolution (which creates organisms with analogous structures) ?
convergent evolution is the separate evolution of similar traits in different species, resulting from adaptation to similar environments. Divergent evolution is when related species evolve different traits due to different selective pressures.
What is a ecosystem?
A ecosystem is when a group of organisms rely on each other for survival (non-living and living things).
What is the difference between a producer (autotroph) and a consumer (heterotroph)?
Producers produce their own food and consumers rely on producers for food.
What are some similarities and differences between herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and decomposers?
Similar: Herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and decomposers all are consumers.
Difference: Herbivores eat plants carnivores eat meat, omnivores eat plants and meat, and decomposers eat waste.
Why are decomposers important in ecosystems?
Without the decomposer, the world would be covered in waste.
What are abiotic factors?
Non living things that effect a ecosystem.
What are biotic factors?
Living things that affect a ecosystem.
On average, what percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
~10%
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, so how is the rest of that energy “lost” from the ecosystem?
HEAT!!
What part of the pyramid contains the most biomass?
The bottom of the pyramid because those are producers and all organisms are directly or indirectly dependent on the producers.