Unit 4 list 1 Evolution EJR Flashcards
amino acid
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins
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 science that studies the structure of the body
biochemical evidence
the amino acid sequence of proteins
biogeography
the branch of biology that deals with the geographical distribution of plants and animals.
cladogram
diagrams which depict the relationships between different groups of taxa called “clades”
common ancestry
Ancestral organism shared by two or more descendent 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
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
made up of all the fossils that have been found, along with their relative ages
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
refers to the evolutionary history of a group 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
beds or strata
adaptation
modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment
behavior
the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves
competition
a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared
fitness
one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance, and strength with the management of disease, fatigue, and stress and reduced sedentary behavior
gene pool
the stock of different genes in an interbreeding population.
genetic variation
a term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes
geographic isolation
a term used to describe the physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers
morphology
a term used to describe the physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers
natural selection
the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change
phenotypic expression
the observable characteristics in an organism that results from the expression of genes.
physiology
the science of life
population
the number of people in a single area
reproductive isolation
a quantitative measure of the effect of genetic differences on gene flow
sexual selection
the process by which individuals compete for access to mates and fertilization opportunities
speciation
occurs when a group within a species separates from other members of its species and develops its own unique characteristics
species
a group of organisms that can reproduce naturally with one another and create fertile offspring
Trait
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
Divergent evolution represents the evolutionary pattern in which species sharing a common ancestry become more distinct
Founder effect
occurs when a new colony is started by a few members of the original population.
Gene flow
any movement of individuals, and/or the genetic material they carry, from one population to another
Gene frequency
the relative frequency of an allele (variant of a gene) at a particular locus in a population, expressed as a fraction or percentage
Gene pool
the stock of different genes in an interbreeding population.
Genetic drift
the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance.
