Midterm 2: Evolution

Question 1

Transitional trait

Answer 1

Intermediate trait between ancestral and current species; related and existing at different times

Question 2

Vestigial trait

Answer 2

A reduced or incompletely developed structure that has no or reduced function, but is similar to a functioning structure in another organism

Question 3

Genetic homology

Answer 3

Similarity in genetic material or amino acid sequence

Question 4

Developmental homology

Answer 4

Similarity in embryonic form

Question 5

Structural homology

Answer 5

Similarity in adult organismal structure

Question 6

Biological fitness

Answer 6

The ability of an individual to produce surviving fertile offspring, relative to other individuals in the population

Question 7

Change in a individual’s phenotype as a response to a change in environmental conditions

Answer 7

Acclimation

Question 8

Adaptation

Answer 8

Any heritable trait that increases the fitness of an individual with that trait compared to an individual without, in a particular environment

Question 9

Sexual selection

Answer 9

Occurs when individuals within a population differ in their ability to attract mates

Question 10

Intersexual selection

Answer 10

Selection of an individual of one gender for mating by an individual of the other gender

Question 11

Intrasexual selection

Answer 11

Selection within a gender; competing with one another to obtain mates

Question 12

Synapomorhphy

Answer 12

A trait found in two or more taxa and the most recent common ancestor but is missing from more distant ancestors

Question 13

homopalapsy

Answer 13

Traits that are similar but not inherited from a common ancestor

Question 14

homologous trait

Answer 14

A trait shared by two or more species that share a common ancestor

Question 15

analogous trait

Answer 15

Similarity in characteristics due to environmental constraints and not close evolutionary relationships