Bio: Intro to Evolution

Big Bang Theory

The leading explanation for the formation of the universe, suggesting it began from a singular point approximately 14 billion years ago.

Inflation

A rapid expansion of the universe that occurred fractions of a second after the Big Bang.

Recombination

The process that occurred 380,000 years after the Big Bang, when electrons joined with nuclei to form neutral atoms.

Nucleosynthesis

The process that occurred within the first few minutes of the universe, leading to the fusion of protons and neutrons to create hydrogen, helium, and lithium nuclei.

Cosmic Microwave Background

The afterglow radiation from the Big Bang, which is the earliest detectable form of light.

Solar Nebula Theory

The best theory explaining the formation of the solar system, suggesting that a rotating disk of gas and dust around a young star formed the planets.

Oxygen revolution

A significant increase in oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere that occurred around 2.4 billion years ago due to photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and other autotrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy.

Aerobes

Organisms that can exist in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobes

Organisms that cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

Speciation

The process through which new species form through evolution.

Environmental conditions

The primary influencing factor on changes in speciation rate.

Dark Ages

A period in the early universe before stars formed, characterized by a lack of light and the presence of gas.

Formation of Stars and Galaxies

The process that occurred a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, where gravity pulled hydrogen and helium together to create stars.

Evolution of Photosynthesis

The development of the ability to convert sunlight into energy, leading to the release of oxygen into the atmosphere.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits, like the ability to perform photosynthesis.