Unit 4 List 1 Evolution 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 geographic distribution of plants, animals, and other forms of life
cladogram
a branching diagram showing the cladistic relationship between a number of species.
common ancestry
an ancestral group of organisms that is shared by multiple lineages.
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
Early stage in the development of humans and other animals or plants
embryology
the study of development of an embryo from the stage of ovum fertilization through to the fetal stage.
evolutionary tree
a diagram that depicts the lines of evolutionary descent of different species, organisms, or genes from a common ancestor.
fossil record
a collection of fossils documenting the history of life on Earth
homologous structure
an organ, system, or body part that shares a common ancestry in multiple organisms.
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
features of an organism that are considered to have lost much or all of their original function through evolution
sedimentary layers
Sedimentary rocks are laid down in layers called beds or strata. A bed is defined as a layer of rock that has a uniform lithology and texture. Beds form by the deposition of layers of sediment on top of each other.
adaptation
the process by which a species becomes fitted to its environment
behavior
the change in activity of an organism in response to a stimulus.
competition
the rivalry between or among living things for territory, resources, goods, mates, etc.
fitness
an organism’s ability to pass its genetic material to its offspring
gene pool
A gene pool refers to the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.
genetic variation
the presence of differences in sequences of genes between individual organisms of a species.
geographic isolation
the physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers.
morphology
the study of the size, shape, and structure of animals, plants, and microorganisms and of the relationships of their constituent parts.
natural selection
the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change over time.
phenotypic expression
the observable characteristics in an organism that results from the expression of genes.
physiology
the study of how the human body works
population
an assortment of organisms of a species that live in the same place at the same time and interbreed.
reproductive isolation
the inability of a species to breed successfully with related species due to geographical, behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers or differences.
sexual selection
the process by which individuals compete for access to mates and 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 offspring.
trait
a specific characteristic of an individual.
Coevolution
where two (or more) species reciprocally affect each other’s evolution.
Convergent evolution
occurs when organisms that aren’t closely related evolve similar features or behaviours, often as solutions to the same problems
Divergent evolution
the process by which interbreeding species diverged into two or more evolutionary groups
Founder effect
the reduction in genomic variability that occurs when a small group of individuals becomes separated from a larger population
Gene flow
any movement of individuals, and/or the genetic material they carry
Gene frequency
the ratio of the number of a specified allele in a population to the total of all alleles at its genetic locus
Gene pool
the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.
Genetic drift
the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population
Geologic record
the irreplaceable account of the joint history between the Earth and living organisms
