Unit 4 List 1 Evolution LC Flashcards
amino acid sequencing
the process of identifying the arrangement of amino acids in proteins and peptides
analogous structure
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
biogeography
the branch of biology that deals with the geographical distribution of plants and animals.
cladogram
a branching diagram showing the cladistic relationship between a number of species
common ancestry
having descended from one ancestor.
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
the movement of charged particles in a fluid or gel under the influence of an electric field
embryo
the early developmental stage of an animal while it is in the egg or within the uterus of the mother
embryology
a branch of biology dealing with embryos and their development.
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
the state of having the same or similar relation, relative position, or structure
paleontology
the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants
phenotypic similarity
a measure of functional redundancy within homologous gene families
phylogeny
the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms, or of a particular feature of an organism.
phylogenetic tree
a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms.
vestigial structures
A feature did a species inherits from an ancestor but is now less elaborate and functional than in the ancestor
sedimentary layers
formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth’s surface. Sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layering or bedding.
adaptation
the action or process of adapting or being adapted.
behavior
the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others
competition
the activity or condition of competing
fitness
the condition of being physically fit and healthy.
gene pool
the stock of different genes in an interbreeding population
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 forms of things.
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 branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
population
all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.
reproductive isolation
a set of barriers that exist between different species that make them unable to breed and produce healthy offspring.
sexual selection
natural selection arising through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex
speciation
the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
species
a class of things of the same kind and with the same name
trait
a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person.
Coevolution
the influence of closely associated species on each other in their 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, 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,
