topics covered

Question 1

Definition of Evolution

Answer 1

Evolution is the process of how living things change over time

Question 2

Adaptation vs. Evolution:

Answer 2

Adaptation is when a living thing develops traits that help it survive in its environment.

Evolution is where species change over time, often because of adaptations that help them survive and reproduce

Question 3

Causes of Adaptations & Evolution:

Answer 3

Adaptations: Changes in the environment, Mutations, Natural selection
Evolution: Caused by genetic changes, Genes mixing from migration, Random changes in small groups

Question 4

Major Evolutionary Theories:

Answer 4

Mutation Theory: Mutations cause sudden changes that lead to evolution.

Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection:traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce

Modern Evolutionary Synthesis: Combines natural selection with genetics to explain evolution.

Question 5

Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection:

Answer 5

living things with traits that help them survive are more likely to survive and have reproduce.

Question 6

Evidence for Evolution:

Answer 6

Fossil Record: Older fossils are found deeper; newer ones are closer to the surface.

Biogeography: Geographic distribution of species shows common ancestry.

Comparative Anatomy: Homologous (same origin) vs. analogous (same function) structures.

Vestigial Structures: Body parts that have lost function (e.g., human appendix).

Comparative Cytology, Development, and Biochemistry: Similarities in cells, embryos, and DNA.

DNA Analysis: Closely related species share more DNA similarities.

Question 7

Extinction

Answer 7

Occurs when a species can no longer survive in its environment due to changes or competition.

Question 8

Mechanisms of Evolution:

Answer 8

Mutation: Genetic changes; only heritable mutations affect evolution.

Gene Flow: Movement of genes between populations.

Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies (bottleneck & founder effects).

Non-Random Mating: Selective breeding affects allele frequencies.

Natural Selection: Favorable traits become more common

Question 9

Types of Natural Selection

Answer 9

Directional Selection: Favors one extreme trait.

Stabilizing Selection: Favors average traits.

Disruptive Selection: Favors both extremes.

Question 10

Speciation & Factors Affecting New Species Formation:

Answer 10

Speciation: Formation of a new species due to genetic divergence.

Factors: Geographic isolation, mutations, selection, reproductive isolation.

Question 11

Reproductive Isolation

Answer 11

Reproductive isolation: when two groups of the same species can no longer mate and have babies together.

Pre-Zygotic Barriers: happen before fertilization and prevent a zygote (fertilized egg) from forming.

Post-Zygotic Barriers: happen after fertilization and stop the offspring from surviving or reproducing.

Question 12

Bottleneck & Founder Effects

Answer 12

Bottleneck Effect: Drastic population reduction decreases genetic diversity.

Founder Effect: A small population forms a new group, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Question 13

Allopatric vs. Sympatric Speciation:

Answer 13

Allopatric: Caused by geographic separation.

Sympatric: Happens without physical separation

Question 14

Human Influences on Evolution

Answer 14

Examples: Antibiotic resistance in bacteria, selective breeding in agriculture.

Question 15

Adaptation & Evolution Examples

Answer 15

Camouflage, mimicry, longer beaks in birds adapting to food sources.

Question 16

Definition of a Species

Answer 16

A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Question 17

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Question 18

Convergent

Answer 18

Convergent: Unrelated species evolve similar traits (e.g., sharks and dolphins).

Divergent: A common ancestor evolves into different species (e.g., Darwin’s finches).

Co-Evolution: Species evolve in response to each other (e.g., flowers and pollinators).

Question 19

Human Evolution Evidence & Origins:

Answer 19

Evidence: Fossils, DNA similarities, tool use, brain size changes.

Location: Africa.

Differences from Other Primates: Larger brains, upright posture, complex culture.

Question 20

Monogenesis:

Answer 20

Theory that modern humans evolved from a single ancestral population in Africa.

Question 21

Origin of Life & Abiogenesis:

Answer 21

Abiogenesis: Life originated from non-living matter.

Hypothetical Steps: Formation of organic molecules, self-replicating molecules, cell membranes

Question 22

22. Phylogeny & Cladograms:

Answer 22

Phylogeny: Evolutionary history of species.

Cladograms: Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships