Test Flashcards
Who came up with the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Definition for evolution
Evolution is the genetic change in the characteristics of a species over many generations resulting in the formation of a new species
Evidence for evolution
- increasing complexity of fossils
- existence of transitional forms
- DNA similarity
- Comparative embryology
- Comparatice anatomy
What is a transitional form
A transitional fossil is any remains that have traits from their ancestors and it’s descendants
What is comparative anatomy
Similarity’s and differences in the anatomy (bone structure) of different species
What is conparative embryology
Comparing embryos (fetus) of different species
What is a genotype
Set of genes in our DNA which is responsible for a particular trait
What is a phenotype
The physical expression or characteristics of a trait eg: red hair
What is variation
The differences in genotype and therefore pheonotype both within and amount populations
What is a gene mutation
A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. They can cause change in the way a cell behaves
What are the two main gene mutations
Hereditary - from parents / family
Acquired - based on what you do and what your environment is like eg: smoking
Definition of a species
Group of organisms that can produce offspring
What is natural selection
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring eg pepper moth
What is speciation
The evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species
What is the 3 stage process for speciation:
- Divergence in traits (variation)
- Isolations of populations
- Selection
