Unit 1: evolution and speciation Flashcards
organismic biology
the study of organisms, their biology (structure, genetic information, etc), and evolution
the 3 domains
eukarya, bacteria, prokaryote
hierarchies
groups for classification
organized from molecules to biosphere
atoms
the smallest unit of life, they make up molecules. Has a nucleus surrounded by electrons
organs
large collections of tissues to support the bodies functional systems, individually having their own functions
molecules
made of atoms and are held together by covalent bonds where electrons are shared
organelles
made of molecules, and have one or more jobs to perform and exist in the cell.
Ex: chloroplasts and mitochondria
cells
cells are unit of structure in all living things. Some organisms are unicellular and others are multicellular
tissues
Made of thousands of cells and are necessary to all living things because they make up the organs.
Grouped together with similar cells w similar functions
organ system
Systems of more than one organ working together to achieve a common goal
Ex: cardiovascular system, digestive system
organisms
made up of living cells. some have tissues and organs (animals) while others do not (plants)
population
a group of organisms not of the same species living in a specific area
communities
similar to a population, it’s a group of various different organisms all interacting in an ecosystem
ecosystems
The physical environment and all its organisms (living and non-living) within it
biosphere
a collection of all ecosystems representing the earths zones
emergent properties
properties that have come to exist in all organisms bc of different forces acting in each other
reductionism and systems science
Both are examples of emergent properties
reductionism: analyzing a large system by breaking it down
systems science: analyzing a large system by focusing on its complex interactions within
cell theory
all living things are made of cells, and cells are the basic unit of life
prokaryotic
single celled organisms that do not have a membrane bound nucleus
domains bacteria and archaea
eukaryotic
multicellular organisms with a membrane bound nucleus
domain eukarya (humans and animals)
chromosomal theory of inheritance (DNA and RNA)
states that genes are on chromosomes, and inherited traits are controlled by these genes
theory of evolution by natural selection
Made by Darwin. Over time species will evolve to have more favorable traits, through natural selection, therefore allowing for better chances of survival
testability
whether or not an experiment can be tested to prove the hypothesis correct or incorrect
hypothesis
an “if… then…” statement developed solely on observation to make an educated hypothesis that can be tested to be proven correct or incorrect.
deductive reasoning
a form of thinking that goes from general topics to specific results using observations, questions, hypotheses, predictions, and tests
inductive reasoning
opposite of deductive reasoning. Goes from using specific details and observations to reach a general conclusion
Cuvier
a geologist who came up with catastrophism
Catastrophism
Curvier’s idea: the large-scale of extinctions and species repopulate from other areas
Hutton
A geologist who believed in gradualism
gradualism
Hutton’s idea: small changes collectively added up to gradually change geological features
Lyell
Made Hutton’s idea of gradualism popular and incorporated it into his idea of uniformitaranism
Uniformitarianism
Lyell’s idea: Idea that the earth is very old and evolved through the process of numerous small changes at the same rate as in the past
Lamarck
Proposed a mechanism for evolution
Inheritance of acquired characters
Lamarck’s idea: species evolve due to their surroundings and predators, and with each generation those characteristics are acquired more and more
thomas malthus
Predicted that food resources will become limited for humans and some will not survive. Darwin took malthus’s idea to his own research.
fossil record
order of fossils and extinct species supporting the idea of evolution
