Unit 6 Biological Evolution Flashcards
any trait that can be passed on to subsequent generations that increases the organism’s ability to survive in its environment and reproduce more often
adaptation
when organisms living in the same community use the same limited resources, but those resources are not enough to fill the needs of every individual organism
competition
competition between two or more individuals of the same species
intraspecific competition
competition between two or more individuals of different species
interspecific competition
competition between two or more individuals where the individuals fight one another for the same resource
direct competition
competition between two or more individuals where the individuals use the same resource but do not interact with each other directly
indirect competition
how well an individual survives and produces offspring in its environment
fitness
the process that results in an organism having favorable adaptations to its environment, which are passed on through reproduction, thus changing the genetic makeup of future generations
natural selection
the competition for vital resources between members of a population
struggle for existence
the transfer of genes from one population to another due to the migration of individuals into or out of a population
gene flow
an exchange of DNA having the same genes between homologous chromosomes that results in new combinations of alleles from multiple genes on the same chromosome.
genetic recombination
a change in genetic information caused by a change in the sequence of DNA
mutation
chromosomes that have undergone genetic recombination and have new combinations of alleles
recombinant chromosomes
a type of reproduction which requires two individuals to exchange genetic material
sexual reproduction
a process by which one species outcompetes another species trying to use the same resources in the same environment, reducing the number of individuals of the other species present in that environment
competitive exclusion
many individuals of the same species that live in the same area
population
when two or more species divide up a resource so they can both coexist in the same environment without having to use the same resources to survive
resource partitioning
a phrase with the same meaning as natural selection
survival of the fittest
change in the genetic makeup of a population over time
evolution
a system or process that produces a given result
mechanism
an individual’s ability to survive and produce offspring that are viable, fertile, and successful
reproductive success
evolution caused by random events
genetic drift
a process in evolution, like natural selection or artificial selection, in which only certain individuals reproduce and pass on their DNA to the next generation
selection
a process of selection in which individuals will only mate with certain individuals based on their characteristics
selective mating
inability of members of a population to interbreed successfully with other members of the population, due to separation caused by geographic, behavioral, genetic, or other barriers
reproductive isolation
a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
species
formation of new and distinct species as a result of evolution
speciation
behavior exhibited by individuals within a group that potentially reduces the fitness of that individual but enhances the fitness of other members of the group
altruistic behavior
a large-scale dying off of a vast number of species in relatively short geological time
mass extinction
