Vocabulary(Evidence and NS) 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 and which do not derive from a common ancestral feature (compare to homologous structures) and which evolved in response to a similar environmental challenge.
anatomy
the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
biochemical evidence
the use of molecular biology techniques to study the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.
bio geography
Bio geography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
cladogram
a branching diagram showing the cladistic relationship between a number of species.
common ancestry
an ancestral group of organisms that is shared by multiple lineages.
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
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.
embryo
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
a measure of functional redundancy within homologous gene families.
phylogeny
the evolutionary history of the development of a species or of a taxonomic group of organisms.
phylogenetic tree
a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms.
vestigial structures
features of an organism that are considered to have lost much or all of their original function through evolution.
sedimentary layers
adaptation
Sedimentary environments dictate the conditions under which sediments accumulate, affecting what organisms can thrive there.
behavior
the change in activity of an organism in response to a stimulus.
competition
interaction with same or different species over food or females.
fitness
Fitness is a quantitative representation of individual reproductive success. It is also equal to the average contribution to the gene pool of the next etc.
gene pool
A gene pool refers to the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.
genetic variation
Genetic variation is the presence of differences in sequences of genes between individual organisms of a species. It enables natural selection.
geographic isolation
the physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers.
morphology
a branch of biology that studies the external and internal structures of living things.
natural selection
Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.
phenotypic expression
the observable characteristics in an organism that results from the expression of genes.
physiology
Physiology is the science of life.
population
A population is an assortment of organisms of a species that live in the same place at the same time and interbreed.
reproductive isolation
the inability of a species to breed successfully with related species due to geographical, behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers or differences.
sexual selection
the process by which individuals compete for access to mates and fertilization opportunities.
speciation
Speciation is how a new kind of plant or animal species is created. Speciation occurs when a group within a species separates from other members of its species.
species
a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring.
Trait
a specific characteristic of an individual.
Coevolution
The term coevolution is used to describe cases where two (or more) species reciprocally affect each other’s 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.
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
A gene pool refers to the combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.
Genetic drift
Genetic drift is the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance.
Geologic record
the entirety of the layers of rock strata.
