Unit 4 List 1 Evolution Flashcards
amino acid sequencing
the process of identifying the arrangement of amino acids in proteins and peptides
analogous structure
Analogous structures are 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 diagram that shows relationships between species. These relationships
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 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
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
scientific study of life of the geologic past that involves the analysis of plant and animal fossils, including those of microscopic size, preserved in rocks
phenotypic similarity
an individual’s observable traits
phylogeny
evolutionary history of the development of a species
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
A layer of a material or substance is a quantity or piece of it that covers a surface or that is between two other things
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 survive and reproduce in its environment
gene pool
the stock of different genes in an interbreeding population
genetic variation
presence of differences in sequences of genes
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
process in which an organism adapts to its environment
phenotypic expression
the observable characteristics in an organism that results from the expression of genes
physiology
the study of how living organisms and their parts function and support life
population
A population is 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
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
