Unit 6: Concept 2 - Patterns of Evolution

Question 1

What is speciation?

Answer 1

forming of new species by evolution from pre-existing species

Question 2

What are species?

Answer 2

group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

Question 3

What is extinction?

Answer 3

elimination of a species

Question 4

What is gradual extinction?

Answer 4

slow rate of elimination

Question 5

What is mass extinction?

Answer 5

catastrophic event changes environment suddenly

Question 6

What is gradualism?

Answer 6

slow, constant changes over a long period of time

Question 7

What is punctuated equilibrium?

Answer 7

bursts of changes followed by periods of stability

Question 8

What is divergent evolution?

Answer 8

number of different species arise from 1 common ancestor

Question 9

What is adaptive radiation?

Answer 9

type of divergent evolution occurring on a small scale over a shorter period of time

Question 10

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 10

unrelated species evolve similar characteristics due to them both living in similar environments

Question 11

What is coevolution?

Answer 11

2 populations of organisms form a specialized relationship and change in response to each other