MT 7 Biology Flashcards
Natural Selection
Organisms with the best adaptations will live longer and reproduce more causing changes over time by acting on traits that are heritable
Fitness
How fit an organism is to live in their environment
Microevolution
Evolution on a small scale; affects only a single population
Macroevolution
Evolution on a large scale; affecting species across multiple populations
Adaptation
a change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment
Convergent Evolution
Convergent: ccurs when organisms that aren’t closely related evolve similar features or behaviours, often as solutions to the same problems
Divergent Evolution
he evolutionary pattern in which species sharing a common ancestry become more distinct due to differential selection pressure which gradually leads to speciation over an evolutionary time period
Genetic Variation
the difference in DNA sequences between individuals within a population
Biochemistry
study of chemical processes in living things; Analyzing DNA and proteins from different species
Homologous Structure
Similar structures that suggest evidence of common ancestry; similar STRUCTURE but different FUNCTION
Are homologous structures a result of convergent or divergent evolution?
DIVERGENT
Analogous Structure
similar structures that evolved independently in different organisms due to serving similar purposes; different STRUCTURALLY same FUNCTIONALLY
Are analogous structures a result of convergent evolution or divergent evolution?
CONVERGANT
Vestigial Structure
Structures with little or no function to an organism- not essential for life
Paleontology
Study of prehistoric life through the fossil record
Binomial Nomenclature
Explain what causes genetic diversity
mutations
Can organisms evolve?
NO populations can evolve! Organisms can adapt but not evolve
Know the four principles of natural selection
- Overproduction of offspring
- Variation
- Adaptation
- Decent with modification- a change in gene frequency over time
What does comparing DNA sequences tell us about organisms?
Can compare similarities and predict common ancestry; closely related species would have similar DNA sequences
Know the levels of organization in order
DOMAIN
KINGDOM
PHYLUM
CLASS
ORDER
FAMILY
GENUS
SPECIES
Direct Observation
Microevolution that has been directly observed due to occurring in populations with short life cycles that reproduce quickly (like flies)
Evolution
The process of biological change in populations over time that makes descendants genetically different from their ancestors
