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115 Terms

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Evolution

The change in organisms throughout Earth’s history, leading to the diversity of life seen today.

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Descent with Modification

The concept that species change over time and share common ancestors.

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Misconception 1

Evolution is goal-oriented; reality is that evolution is driven by environmental pressures.

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Misconception 2

Evolution creates new forms of life through dramatic mutations; reality is it occurs gradually through small genetic changes.

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Misconception 3

Individual organisms evolve in their lifetime; reality is evolution occurs at the population level over generations.

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Misconception 4

Organisms can influence their own evolution; reality is natural selection acts on existing variation.

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Misconception 5

Evolution is completely random; reality is mutations are random, but natural selection is a non-random process.

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Aristotle

Proposed that species are fixed and arranged in a hierarchy (Scala Naturae).

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Linnaeus

Developed binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification.

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Georges Cuvier

Proposed catastrophism, suggesting species go extinct due to sudden events.

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James Hutton

Introduced gradualism, suggesting slow, continuous processes shape Earth.

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Charles Lyell

Proposed uniformitarianism, stating Earth's processes have remained constant.

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Erasmus Darwin

Charles Darwin’s grandfather, who had early ideas on evolution.

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Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

First to propose a mechanism for evolution (incorrectly) with use & disuse and inheritance of acquired characteristics.

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HMS Beagle Voyage

Charles Darwin's journey (1831-1836) where he observed species variation and adaptations.

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Natural Selection

Process where individuals with advantageous traits leave more offspring.

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Biological Species Concept

A species is a group that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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Reproductive Isolation

Mechanisms that prevent species from interbreeding.

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Allopatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs due to geographic isolation.

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Sympatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs without physical separation.

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Gene Pool

The total collection of genes in a population.

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Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Equation (p² + 2pq + q² = 1) stating conditions for a population to be in genetic equilibrium.

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Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies within a population.

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Founder Effect

A small group forms a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

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Bottleneck Effect

Sudden reduction in population size leading to decreased genetic diversity.

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Phylogenetic Trees

Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships among species.

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Taxonomy

The science of classification of organisms.

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Maximum Parsimony

A method used to construct phylogenetic trees with the simplest explanation.

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Hadean Eon

The time period (4.6-4.0 billion years ago) when Earth formed and had no life.

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Archean Eon

The time period (4.0-2.5 billion years ago) when the first prokaryotic life appeared.

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Proterozoic Eon

The time (2.5-0.5 billion years ago) of the first eukaryotes and multicellular life.

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Cambrian Explosion

A rapid diversification of life that occurred around 535 million years ago.

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Permian Extinction

A mass extinction event (250 million years ago) where 96% of marine species were lost.

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Cretaceous Extinction

A mass extinction event (65 million years ago) marking the end of the dinosaurs.

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Exaptation

Traits that evolve for one purpose but are repurposed for another.

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Homeotic Genes (Hox Genes)

Genes that control body plan and development.

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Direct Observation

Evidence of evolution observed in real-time, such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

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Fossil Record

The history of life documented by fossils, showing transitional forms.

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Homology

Similar structures in different species indicating common ancestry.

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Biogeography

The study of the geographic distribution of species supporting common descent.

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Convergent Evolution

The evolution of similar traits in species from different lineages due to similar environments.

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Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes occurring within a species over time.

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Key Terms for Exam

Important concepts to understand include natural selection, genetic drift, and phylogeny.

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Examples to Know

Key examples include antibiotic resistance and the Galápagos finches.

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Mechanisms of Evolution

The processes through which evolution occurs, including natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.

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Adaptive Radiation

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor in response to environmental changes.

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Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

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Fitness

The reproductive success of an organism in passing its genes to the next generation.

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Sexual Selection

A mode of natural selection where certain traits increase an individual's chances of attracting mates.

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Molecular Evidence

Genetic similarities and differences used to support theories of evolution.

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Transitional Fossils

Fossils that show intermediate states between an ancestral form and that of its descendants.

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Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can affect allele frequencies.

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Phenotype

The observable traits or characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

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Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

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Punctuated Equilibrium

A theory suggesting that species evolve during short periods of rapid change followed by long periods of stability.

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Taxonomic Hierarchy

The organization of biological classification into ranks such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

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Bioluminescence

The ability of organisms to produce and emit light, which may evolve for attraction, communication, or predation.

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Extinction Events

Periods in Earth's history when significant numbers of species die out in a relatively short time.

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Symbiosis

The interaction between two different organisms living in close physical proximity, often to the benefit of both.

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Darwinian Fitness

The measure of an organism's success in passing its genes to the next generation compared to others.

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Artificial Selection

The intentional reproduction of individuals in a population that have desirable traits.

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Speciation Rate

The speed at which new species arise, influenced by factors such as environmental changes.

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Adaptive Fitness

A measure of how well an organism is adapted to its environment, impacting its survival and reproduction.

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Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium

Gradualism suggests slow, continuous change, while punctuated equilibrium suggests rapid changes followed by stability.

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Cladistics

A method of classifying species based on common ancestry and branching evolutionary trees.

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Inbreeding Depression

Reduced biological fitness in a population due to inbreeding, leading to an increase in homozygosity.

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Gene Silencing

The regulation of gene expression, leading to the reduction or elimination of a gene's product.

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Co-evolution

The process where two species influence each other's evolutionary path.

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Morphological Species Concept

A concept defining species based on distinct structural features.

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Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology.

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Phenotypic Plasticity

The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions.

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Ecological Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including how it gets its energy and nutrients.

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Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in a particular environment, including the human body.

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Endemic Species

Species that are native to and found only within a specific geographic area.

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Homoplasy

Similar traits that arise independently in unrelated species due to convergent evolution.

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Vertical Transmission

The passing of genetic material from parent to offspring in a lineage.

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Horizontal Gene Transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms that are not parent and offspring.

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Speciation events

Key historical points when new species diverged from ancestral species due to evolutionary processes.

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Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA among individuals, which contributes to diversity in a population.

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Natural Selection vs. Artificial Selection

Natural selection occurs through environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human intervention.

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Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of ecosystems within a given region, important for ecological stability.

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Plate Tectonics

The theory explaining the movement of Earth's plates, influencing the distribution of species.

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Microbial Evolution

The evolutionary changes in microorganisms, influenced by environments and mutations.

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Fecundity

The potential reproductive capacity of an organism, often measured by the number of offspring.

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Reproductive Strategies

Different approaches species take to reproduce, impacting survival and fitness.

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Genomic Imprinting

A genetic phenomenon where certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

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Selection Pressure

Environmental factors that influence the survival and reproduction of individuals.

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Paleoecology

The study of ecosystems of the past, often using fossil evidence.

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Niche Partitioning

The process by which competing species use the environment differently to coexist.

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Gene Knockout

A genetic technique where a specific gene is made inoperative to study its function.

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Regulatory Genes

Genes that control the expression of one or more other genes.

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Aposematism

A warning coloration in animals, signaling that they are toxic or unpalatable.

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Species Richness

The number of different species represented in a particular region.

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Phenotypic Variation

Differences in the physical appearance or function of individuals within a population.

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Gene Editing

A genetic technology that allows for the modification of an organism's DNA.

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CRISPR-Cas9

A revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows for precise modifications in an organism's genome.

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Hybridization

The process of crossing two different species or varieties to create a hybrid.

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Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.

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Overdominance

A situation where heterozygotes have a higher fitness than homozygotes.

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Eutrophication

An environmental phenomenon resulting from nutrient over-enrichment of water bodies, causing excessive plant growth.