Unit 1 Evolution Flashcards
What is the definition of variation
Variation is the difference in the characteristics of individuals in a population. Occurs due to mutation. Vital to natural selection because without it no one would survive better than the others in their population
What is mutation
When a piece of genetic code is misread resulting in a change in the animal, can be beneficial or not
What is adaption
The process by which animals adapt to changes in their environment
What is homology
When different species have similarities in structure based on their descent from a common evolutionary ancestor
What is convergent evolution
When species have similar traits but do not share common ancestors
Define biological evolution
The change in inherited traits over generations in a population
Describe automical evidence (evidence of evolution)
One form of evidence for evolution. When a species has leftover structures from former versions of the species that no longer serve their original purpose
Define natural selection
Organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, resulting in changes in the species.
What are the three necessary conditions for natural selection
Variation, Differential fitness, and Heritability
What contributions did Lamark make
Lamark had the first theory of evolution, his theory was that throughout an animals life its body changes in order to better survive, and those changes were then passed onto offspring
What contributions did Darwin make
Published first paper on evolution by natural selection with Wallace, he introduced the idea of natural selection
What contributions did Wallace make
He co published the first book suggesting natural selection
In relation to evolution what does gene mean
A sequence of DNA nucleotides that encode something important
In relation to evolution what does allele mean
A variant of a gene Ex. An allele is what codes humans to only form one head
In relation to evolution what does locus/loci mean
A place of interest in a chromosome
List the 5 mechanisms of evolution
Mutation
Non-random mating
Gene flow
Genetic drift
Natural selection
What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
It states that genetic variation in a population will be consistent from one generation to the next in the absence of disturbing factors
What does Darwin’s finches tell us
It is an iconic model for adaptive evolution
Describe biological species concept
Defines a species as a group of organisms that can successfully interbreed
Describe vestigial genes (evidence of evolution)
A form of evidence for evolution. Genes that no longer function but are leftover (homologous) with the genes of related groups. Ex. Whales used to be able to smell, while they no longer do they still have the gene that once allowed them to, but it is dormant
What is the two more evidences of evolution
DNA, it allows us to see evolution through natural selection
Fossil records
What factors can disturb the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Mutations
Natural selection
Genetic drift
Non random mating
What is the founder effect
New populations don’t always have the genetic variation that was present in the former population due to the founders not having the variations
What is the bottleneck affect
When a population goes through an event that causes many to die, this may cause a loss of certain alleles meaning the next generations will no longer display these attributes
