Unit 6 - Evolution Vocab

Question 1

Adaptation

Answer 1

Inherited characteristic that increases an organisms chance of survival

Question 2

Analogous Structures

Answer 2

Similiar structures in organisms with same purpose; no shared ancestry (ex. bird, bat, and insect wings)

Question 3

Antibiotic Resistence

Answer 3

fast evolving ability of bacteria to be unaffected by antibiotics; caused by overuse/misuse of antibiotics

Question 4

Bottleneck Effect

Answer 4

population’s size decreases for at least one generation causing LESS genetic variation

Question 5

Directional Selection

Answer 5

Typeof natural selection that favors one extreme of a trait (search up graph) (ex. black feathers instead of grey and white)

Question 6

Disruptive Selection

Answer 6

type of natural selection that favors traits at both extremes (search up graph) (ex. white and black feathers instead of grey)

Question 7

Evolution

Answer 7

genetic change in species/populations over time making them more complex to better survive

Question 8

Fossil

Answer 8

preserved remains of plant and animal bodies in sediment; provide evidence of evolution

Question 9

Founder Effect

Answer 9

small group of population becomes separated from a larger population causing LESS genetic variation

Question 10

Gene Flow

Answer 10

exchange of genes between populations due to the migration causing MORE genetic variation (migration of brown beetle to green beetle population)

Question 11

Gene Pool

Answer 11

all the genes present in a species

Question 12

Genetic Drift

Answer 12

Random change (typically natural disaster) causes CHANGE in genetic variation

Question 13

Geographic Isolation

Answer 13

species becomes physically seperated and over time become different species

Question 14

Homologous Structures

Answer 14

Similiar structures in organisms that evolved from a common ancestor with different function (ex. whale and human arms)

Question 15

Mutation

Answer 15

change in an organisms DNA sequence caused randomly or by environment

Question 16

Natural Selection

Answer 16

Mechanism of evolution; environment favors organisms with a specific trait; ‘survival of the fittest’

Question 17

Pesticide Resistance

Answer 17

decreased effectiveness of insects over time to chemicals used to kill them

Question 18

Phylogenetic Tree/Cladogram

Answer 18

a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among organisms based on characteristics

Question 19

Primitive

Answer 19

organism that is similiar to older, less complex, organisms

Question 20

Speciation

Answer 20

the formation of a new species from an existing species

Question 21

Stabilizing Selection

Answer 21

Type of natural selection that favors intermediate forms of a trait (search up graph) (ex. grey feathers over black and white)

Question 22

The Endosymbiotic Theory

Answer 22

theory of the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms because of some organelles like the mitochondria

Question 23

Vestigial Structure/Organ

Answer 23

structure that has no function but once served a purpose; explains organisms evolution (ex. finger bones of whales)