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Evolution
The change in organisms throughout Earth’s history, leading to the diversity of life seen today.
Descent with Modification
The concept that species change over time and share common ancestors.
Misconception 1
Evolution is goal-oriented; reality is that evolution is driven by environmental pressures.
Misconception 2
Evolution creates new forms of life through dramatic mutations; reality is it occurs gradually through small genetic changes.
Misconception 3
Individual organisms evolve in their lifetime; reality is evolution occurs at the population level over generations.
Misconception 4
Organisms can influence their own evolution; reality is natural selection acts on existing variation.
Misconception 5
Evolution is completely random; reality is mutations are random, but natural selection is a non-random process.
Aristotle
Proposed that species are fixed and arranged in a hierarchy (Scala Naturae).
Linnaeus
Developed binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification.
Georges Cuvier
Proposed catastrophism, suggesting species go extinct due to sudden events.
James Hutton
Introduced gradualism, suggesting slow, continuous processes shape Earth.
Charles Lyell
Proposed uniformitarianism, stating Earth's processes have remained constant.
Erasmus Darwin
Charles Darwin’s grandfather, who had early ideas on evolution.
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
First to propose a mechanism for evolution (incorrectly) with use & disuse and inheritance of acquired characteristics.
HMS Beagle Voyage
Charles Darwin's journey (1831-1836) where he observed species variation and adaptations.
Natural Selection
Process where individuals with advantageous traits leave more offspring.
Biological Species Concept
A species is a group that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Reproductive Isolation
Mechanisms that prevent species from interbreeding.
Allopatric Speciation
Speciation that occurs due to geographic isolation.
Sympatric Speciation
Speciation that occurs without physical separation.
Gene Pool
The total collection of genes in a population.
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Equation (p² + 2pq + q² = 1) stating conditions for a population to be in genetic equilibrium.
Genetic Drift
Random changes in allele frequencies within a population.
Founder Effect
A small group forms a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.
Bottleneck Effect
Sudden reduction in population size leading to decreased genetic diversity.
Phylogenetic Trees
Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships among species.
Taxonomy
The science of classification of organisms.
Maximum Parsimony
A method used to construct phylogenetic trees with the simplest explanation.
Hadean Eon
The time period (4.6-4.0 billion years ago) when Earth formed and had no life.
Archean Eon
The time period (4.0-2.5 billion years ago) when the first prokaryotic life appeared.
Proterozoic Eon
The time (2.5-0.5 billion years ago) of the first eukaryotes and multicellular life.
Cambrian Explosion
A rapid diversification of life that occurred around 535 million years ago.
Permian Extinction
A mass extinction event (250 million years ago) where 96% of marine species were lost.
Cretaceous Extinction
A mass extinction event (65 million years ago) marking the end of the dinosaurs.
Exaptation
Traits that evolve for one purpose but are repurposed for another.
Homeotic Genes (Hox Genes)
Genes that control body plan and development.
Direct Observation
Evidence of evolution observed in real-time, such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Fossil Record
The history of life documented by fossils, showing transitional forms.
Homology
Similar structures in different species indicating common ancestry.
Biogeography
The study of the geographic distribution of species supporting common descent.
Convergent Evolution
The evolution of similar traits in species from different lineages due to similar environments.
Microevolution
Small-scale evolutionary changes occurring within a species over time.
Key Terms for Exam
Important concepts to understand include natural selection, genetic drift, and phylogeny.
Examples to Know
Key examples include antibiotic resistance and the Galápagos finches.
Mechanisms of Evolution
The processes through which evolution occurs, including natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.
Adaptive Radiation
The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor in response to environmental changes.
Speciation
The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
Fitness
The reproductive success of an organism in passing its genes to the next generation.
Sexual Selection
A mode of natural selection where certain traits increase an individual's chances of attracting mates.
Molecular Evidence
Genetic similarities and differences used to support theories of evolution.
Transitional Fossils
Fossils that show intermediate states between an ancestral form and that of its descendants.
Gene Flow
The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can affect allele frequencies.
Phenotype
The observable traits or characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Genotype
The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Punctuated Equilibrium
A theory suggesting that species evolve during short periods of rapid change followed by long periods of stability.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
The organization of biological classification into ranks such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
Bioluminescence
The ability of organisms to produce and emit light, which may evolve for attraction, communication, or predation.
Extinction Events
Periods in Earth's history when significant numbers of species die out in a relatively short time.
Symbiosis
The interaction between two different organisms living in close physical proximity, often to the benefit of both.
Darwinian Fitness
The measure of an organism's success in passing its genes to the next generation compared to others.
Artificial Selection
The intentional reproduction of individuals in a population that have desirable traits.
Speciation Rate
The speed at which new species arise, influenced by factors such as environmental changes.
Adaptive Fitness
A measure of how well an organism is adapted to its environment, impacting its survival and reproduction.
Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium
Gradualism suggests slow, continuous change, while punctuated equilibrium suggests rapid changes followed by stability.
Cladistics
A method of classifying species based on common ancestry and branching evolutionary trees.
Inbreeding Depression
Reduced biological fitness in a population due to inbreeding, leading to an increase in homozygosity.
Gene Silencing
The regulation of gene expression, leading to the reduction or elimination of a gene's product.
Co-evolution
The process where two species influence each other's evolutionary path.
Morphological Species Concept
A concept defining species based on distinct structural features.
Genetic Engineering
The manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology.
Phenotypic Plasticity
The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions.
Ecological Niche
The role and position a species has in its environment, including how it gets its energy and nutrients.
Microbiome
The collection of microorganisms living in a particular environment, including the human body.
Endemic Species
Species that are native to and found only within a specific geographic area.
Homoplasy
Similar traits that arise independently in unrelated species due to convergent evolution.
Vertical Transmission
The passing of genetic material from parent to offspring in a lineage.
Horizontal Gene Transfer
The transfer of genetic material between organisms that are not parent and offspring.
Speciation events
Key historical points when new species diverged from ancestral species due to evolutionary processes.
Genetic Variation
Differences in DNA among individuals, which contributes to diversity in a population.
Natural Selection vs. Artificial Selection
Natural selection occurs through environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human intervention.
Ecosystem Diversity
The variety of ecosystems within a given region, important for ecological stability.
Plate Tectonics
The theory explaining the movement of Earth's plates, influencing the distribution of species.
Microbial Evolution
The evolutionary changes in microorganisms, influenced by environments and mutations.
Fecundity
The potential reproductive capacity of an organism, often measured by the number of offspring.
Reproductive Strategies
Different approaches species take to reproduce, impacting survival and fitness.
Genomic Imprinting
A genetic phenomenon where certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.
Selection Pressure
Environmental factors that influence the survival and reproduction of individuals.
Paleoecology
The study of ecosystems of the past, often using fossil evidence.
Niche Partitioning
The process by which competing species use the environment differently to coexist.
Gene Knockout
A genetic technique where a specific gene is made inoperative to study its function.
Regulatory Genes
Genes that control the expression of one or more other genes.
Aposematism
A warning coloration in animals, signaling that they are toxic or unpalatable.
Species Richness
The number of different species represented in a particular region.
Phenotypic Variation
Differences in the physical appearance or function of individuals within a population.
Gene Editing
A genetic technology that allows for the modification of an organism's DNA.
CRISPR-Cas9
A revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows for precise modifications in an organism's genome.
Hybridization
The process of crossing two different species or varieties to create a hybrid.
Epigenetics
The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.
Overdominance
A situation where heterozygotes have a higher fitness than homozygotes.
Eutrophication
An environmental phenomenon resulting from nutrient over-enrichment of water bodies, causing excessive plant growth.