Unit 4 List 1 Evolution Flashcards
amino acid sequencing
the process of identifying the arrangement of amino acids in proteins and peptides
analogous structure
biological structures having similar or corresponding functions but not from the same evolutionary origin.
anatomy
The study of the structure of a plant or animal
biochemical evidence
includes DNA, RNA, and protein sequence comparisons, highlighting genetic similarities and differences among species.
biogeography
the study of the geographic distribution of plants, animals, and other forms of life
cladogram
a diagram that shows relationships between species.
common ancestry
an ancestral group of organisms that is shared by multiple lineages.
descent with modification
the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor
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 the embryo and its development from a single-celled zygote (fertilized ovum) to the establishment of form and shape
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
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 depicts the lines of evolutionary descent of different species, organisms, or genes from a common ancestor.
vestigial structures
non-functional features fully developed and functioning in earlier species but serve little or no present purpose for an organism
sedimentary layers
formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms
adaptation
the process by which a species becomes fitted to its environment
behavior
the study of the biological and evolutionary bases for such changes
competition
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
The combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.
genetic variation
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
natural selection
the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change
phenotypic expression
The observable characteristics or traits in an individual based on the expression of their genes.
physiology
the science of life
population
all the organisms of the same group or species that live in a specific area and are capable of breeding among themselves
reproductive isolation
the inability of a species to breed successfully with related species
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
the process of reciprocal evolutionary change that occurs between pairs of species or among groups of species as they interact with one another
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, from one population to another.
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 due to random chance
Geologic record
the irreplaceable account of the joint history between the Earth and living organisms
