Biodiversity and Evolution Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in biodiversity, ecology, and evolution.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth and the interactions between organisms.

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Evolution

Change in allele frequencies in a population over generations.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species that live and interbreed in the same place at the same time.

Heritable Traits

Traits that can be passed from parents to offspring through genes.

Individuals vs Populations

Individuals do NOT evolve; populations evolve.

Ecology Principle 1

You can never just do one thing - actions in an ecosystem have multiple consequences.

Ecology Principle 2

Everything goes somewhere - matter and energy are conserved.

Ecology Principle 3

No population grows forever due to limited resources leading to competition.

Ecology Principle 4

No free lunch - energy must be used to obtain energy.

Ecology Principle 5

Things change over time and space; organisms must adapt.

Ecology Principle 6

Life depends on interactions among species for survival.

Evolutionary Theory

The scientific explanation of how and why evolution occurs, supported by extensive evidence.

Scientific Theory

A well-supported explanation based on a large body of evidence.

Allele Frequency

The proportion of a specific allele in a population.

Genetic Change

Must be heritable and occur across generations to count as evolution.

Biotic Factors

Living components that affect the environment and organisms.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components that affect the environment.

Genetic Diversity

Variation in the genetic makeup among individuals within a population.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems within a geographic location.

Interactions

How organisms affect and are affected by their environment.

Predation

A biological interaction where one organism hunts and eats another.

Competition

When organisms vie for the same resources in an ecosystem.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Allele

Different versions of a gene that may produce distinguishable traits.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism.

Evolutionary Change

Shifts in allele frequencies in a population over generations.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Adaptation

A trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Gene Pool

The total collection of genes in a population at any one time.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

Extinction

The dying out of a species leading to the disappearance of all its members.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Limiting Factors

Resources or conditions that limit the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem where organisms obtain energy.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms.

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms where nutrients and energy are transferred.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding interactions among organisms.

Biomes

Large ecological areas with distinct animal and plant groups adapted to their environment.

Climatic Factors

Weather patterns and conditions that influence ecosystems.

Evolutionary Adaptations

Inherent changes that improve the function and survival of a species.

Population Genetics

The study of how and why allele frequencies change over time in populations.