Test on Friday the 13, 2016 Flashcards
In science, what is a theory? 2
“An established scientific model that EXPLAINS OBSERVATIONS and MAKES PREDICTIONS”
In other words, theories come to existence when many, many facts have been gathered – a theory explains why those facts happen.
Define genetic make-up
“Genetic makeup” refers to the genes that determine what you look like and what physical characteristics you have. They are your GENOTYPE, and when these genes are expressed (the color of your eyes, your blood type, your hair texture, the structure of your digestive enzymes, etc), you are showing your PHENOTYPE.
What is the role of MUTATIONS in evolution?
Mutations allow some specific part of DNA or genes to be modifies, sometimes it is useful ( like developing hard sheels in groundnuts ) or harmful like mutations in atomic bombings.
Define population
A population is a summation of all the organisms of the same group or species, which live in a particular geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding
List 5 scientific theories
Quantum Mechanics Theory
Atomic Theory
Cell Theory
Big Bang Theory
Chaos Theory
Germ theory of disease
Define Generation
All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
Define the term “carrying capacity” and how it is useful
It is the maximum, equilibrium number of organisms of a particular species that can be supported indefinitely in a given environment.
It is useful because when a population of a species is too big, they can destroy the environment by depleting its resources
What are the four factors that affect carrying capacity?
Population density
Materials and Energy
Food Chains
Competition for Food
What is Materials and Energy when it refers to one of the 4 factors that determine carrying capacity?
All populations are limited by the supply of essential materials (carbon, water. Etc.) and the amount of usable energy from the sun.
What is Food Chains when it refers to one of the 4 factors that determine carrying capacity?
The population size at any tropic levels is limited by the tropic level below it (what it eats) and the tropic level above it. (What eats it)
What is Competition for Food when it refers to one of the 4 factors that determine carrying capacity? 3
There is Intraspecific and Interspecific.
Intraspecific is competition of members of the same species. (Food, mate, territory)
Interspecific is competition between different species. (Food, territory)
What is Population density when it refers to one of the 4 factors that determine carrying capacity?
Different organisms require different amounts of space. (Based on size, environment and way of life)
What are the 2 Maximum Population Density factors?
Density-dependent factors
Density-independent factors
What is Density-dependent factor based on Maximum Population Density? Come up with 4 examples
Will increase or decrease the carrying capacity based on the SIZE of a population
Ex. Amount of food available
Infectious diseases can spread rapidly
Paratism
Predation
What is Density-independent factor based on Maximum Population Density? Come up with 4 examples
Will increase or decrease the carrying capacity REGARDLESS of the size of the population.
Ex. A forest fire
Tornado
Tsunami
Volcanic eruption
What are the acronyms for VIST?
Variation
Inheritance
Selection
Time
What is “V” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to octopi.
Variation – not all members of a population are the same.
Ex. Some octopi may be able to change their colour to match their surrounding
What is “I” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to octopi.
Inheritance – many of these variations (I.E. Differences) are inherited through genes.
Ex. The ability to change colour is due to genes and can be passed on to offspring.
What is “S” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to octopi.
Selection – individuals better suited to the environment will survive and reproduce.
Ex. Individuals with the ability to change colour will be more likely to survive (I.E. They will be selected) they can camouflage
What is “T” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to octopi.
Time – given enough time, gene(s) that improve survival will become more common
Ex. Over time the genes for changing colour will become more and more common until all octopi can change colour.
What is the relationship between evolution and natural selection?
Natural selection is the driving force of evolution. Variants that are best suited to the environment are the most likely to survive and reproduce, so these variants are more prevalent in subsequent generations.
Use the peppered moth example to explain natural selection. 5
The peppered moth have been living in Great Britain for thousand of years.
Most peppered moths had a white body that allowed them to be camouflaged and not get eaten like their black moth counterparts when sleeping in an oak tree. Some of them survived though.
Then the industrial revolution came. Before there was no pollution, now there are tons that soot literally covered the landscape.
Tree trunks began to turn black.
In this “new” environment” black coloured moths had an advantage. The number of white moths decreased over time. The percentage of Black moths only increased in areas where there were factories and pollution.
What is “V” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to treefrogs
Colour Differences – Some treefrogs are gray, others were green
What is “I” in VIST? What does it stand for? Give an example related to treefrogs 2
Green treefrogs will have green offsprings,
Gray treefrogs will have gray offsprings
