Unit 4 list 1 Flashcards
amino acid sequencing
the process of identifying the arrangement of amino acids in proteins and peptides
analogous structure
features of different species that are similar in function but not necessarily in structure and which do not derive from a common ancestral feature
anatomy
The study of the structure of a plant or animal
biochemical evidence
the use of molecular biology techniques to study the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms, providing crucial insights into evolutionary relationships
biogeography
the study of the distribution of plants, animals, and other types of life
cladogram
a diagram that shows relationships between species
common ancestry
the ancestor of two or more species in the later period
descent with modification
passing traits from parent to offspring
DNA sequencing
the general laboratory technique for determining the exact sequence of nucleotides, or bases, in a DNA molecule
electrophoresis
a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge
embryo
the early developmental stage of an animal while it is in the egg or within the uterus of the mother
embryology
the study of development of an embryo from the stage of ovum fertilization through to the fetal stage.
evolutionary tree
a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms
fossil record
a collection of fossils documenting the history of life on Earth
homologous structure
similar physical features in organisms that share a common ancestor, but the features serve completely different functions
homology
similarity of the structure, physiology, or development of different species of organisms based upon their descent from a common evolutionary ancestor
paleontology
the study of the history of life on Earth as based on fossils
phenotypic similarity
a measure of functional redundancy within homologous gene families
phylogeny
the representation of the evolutionary history and relationships between groups of organisms
phylogenetic tree
a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms
vestigial structures
a body part that is reduced or impaired from its ancestral condition, and no longer has a function within a species
sedimentary layers
formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms
adaptation
the act of changing something or changing your behavior to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation
behavior
anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
competition
the act or process of trying to get or win something (such as a prize or a higher level of success) that someone else is also trying to get or win
fitness
the ability to carry out daily tasks without undue fatigue
gene pool
the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species
genetic variation
a term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes
geographic isolation
he physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers
morphology
the study of the internal structure of words
Natural selection
The process through which populations of living organisms adapt, and change
Phenotypic expression
The observable characteristics in an organism that result from the expression of jeans
Physiology
The study of how the human body works
Population
The whole number of people or inhabitants in the country or region
Reproductive isolation
A breakdown in the ability to reproduce sexual partners of another type of organism
Sexual selection
The process by which individuals compete horse access to mates in fertilization opportunities
Speciation
How a new kind of plant or animal species is created
Species
A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offsprings
Trait
A specific characteristic of an individual
