Unit 4 List 1 Evolution PL 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. They do not derive from a common ancestral feature, and evolved in response to a similar environmental challenge.
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 patterns of geographic distribution of organisms and the factors that determine those patterns.
Cladogram
A branching tree diagram that shows ancestral relationships among organisms.
Common ancestry
An ancestral group of organisms that is shared by multiple lineages.
Descent with modification
Passing traits from parent to offspring.
DNA sequencing
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
Phenotypic similarity is a measure of functional redundancy within homologous gene families.
Phylogeny
The evolutionary history of a kind of organism.
Phylogenetic tree
A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Vestigial structures
Vestigial structures are features of an organism that are considered to have lost much or all of their original function through evolution.
Sedimentary layers
Sedimentary layers are distinct strata of sediment that have accumulated over time, forming the Earth’s crust and providing a record of geological history.
Adaptation
Adaptation is the evolutionary process whereby an organism becomes better able to live in its habitat or habitats.
Behavior
Behavior is the change in activity of an organism in response to a stimulus.
