Module 7 Evolutionary Processes Flashcards
Which scientific concept did Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently discover?
natural selection
what are homologous structures?
parallel structures in diverse organisms
which is the best definition of adaptation?
A heritable trait or behavior that aids an organism’s survival and reproduction.
____________occurs when a species is reproductively independent from other species; behavior, location, or reproductive barriers may cause this to happen.
reproductive isolation
A _________ is the offspring of two closely related individuals.
hybrid
What is the main difference between autopolyploid and allopolyploid?
the source of the extra chromosomes
Both genetic and environmental factors can cause phenotypic variation in a population.
true
Natural selection and other evolutionary forces can only act on heritable traits.
true
____________ is an individual’s preference to mate with partners who are phenotypically similar to themselves.
assortative mating
Fossils show a progression of evolution.
true
Organisms that share a single ancestor are a monophyletic group.
true
_________ are preserved remains of ancient organisms.
fossils
Scientists use the phrase __________ because even though related organisms have many of the same characteristics and genetic codes, changes occur.
descent with modification
Phylogenetic trees and individual clades are continually being refined by evolutionary biologists.
true
Phylogenetic relationships always provide information on both shared ancestry and how organisms are similar.
false
In science, a “theory” is understood to be a concept that has been extensively tested and supported over time.
true
Species purposefully respond to their environment.
false
Religious beliefs are not taught in U.S. public schools because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
true
What is a phylogeny a description of?
evolutionary history
A phylogenetic tree is a diagram used to reflect evolutionary relationships among organisms or groups of organisms.
true
Humans belong to what kingdom?
animalia
A(n) __________ can evolve or adapt through natural selection.
population
The word “theory” in theory of evolution is best replaced by ________.
hypothesis
When a characteristic that is similar occurs by adaptive convergence (convergent evolution), and not because of a close evolutionary relationship, it is called a(n) __________.
analogous structure
__________ is the increase in abnormalities and disease in inbreeding populations.
inbreeding depression
The fact that DNA sequences are more similar in more closely related organisms is evidence of what?
descent with modification
What do scientists use to apply cladistics?
homologous traits
Wings on flightless birds is an example of a(n)…
vestigial structure
Why are alternative scientific theories to evolution not taught in public school?
it is against the law
The theory of evolution was almost universally accepted by biologists after…
the publication of On the Origin of Species
What do scientists in the field of systematics specifically accomplish?
organize and classify organisms
Which best describes the relationship between chimpanzees and humans?
chimpanzees and humans evolved from a common ancestor
Which best describes a branch point in a phylogenetic tree?
new lineage
Which of the following is not a domain?
protista
Which of the processes described is divergent evolution?
Groups of organisms evolve in different directions from a common point.
Which description is an example of a phenotype?
A certain duck has a blue beak
Most cheetahs live solitary lives
Which of these statements about a natural principle that points to the inevitability of natural selection is false?
Some generations of offspring do not need to compete for resources.
Which variable increases the likelihood of allopatric speciation taking place more quickly?
longer distance between divided groups
Which situation is not an example of a prezygotic barrier?
two species of insects produce infertile offspring
Which situation would most likely lead to allopatric speciation?
a flood causes the formation of a new lake
what is assortative mating?
when individuals mate with those who are similar to themselves
When closely related individuals mate with each other, or inbreed, the offspring are often not as fit as the offspring of two unrelated individuals. Why?
Inbreeding can bring together rare, deleterious mutations that lead to harmful phenotypes.
Which situation is most likely an example of convergent evolution?
Squid and humans have eyes similar in structure
Worms and snakes both move without legs
Some bats and birds have wings that allow them to fly
Which reproductive combination produces hybrids?
when members of closely related species reproduce
population genetics is the study of…
how selective forces change the allele frequencies in a population over time.
What is true about organisms that are a part of the same clade?
they evolved from a shared ancestor
Which is an example of an adaptation?
the webbed feet of a duck helps it swim
Which condition is the basis for a species to be reproductively isolated from other members?
it does not exchange genetic information with other species
Which of the following evolutionary forces can introduce new genetic variation into a population?
mutation and gene flow
The theory of evolution describes…
facts about the living world
Which statement about the taxonomic classification system is correct?
species are the most specific category of classification
