BIOL2040: Evolution Lecture Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards designed for the review of key concepts in evolutionary biology, particularly focusing on adaptations and research methodologies.

Adaptation

A trait that increases the fitness of its possessor, often resulting from natural selection.

Adaptive

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

Natural Selection

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

Fitness

The reproductive success of an organism, often determined by its ability to survive and reproduce.

Acclimation

A short-term physiological adjustment of an organism to its environment.

Null Hypothesis

The default position that there is no association between two measured phenomena; in this context, that a trait is not adaptive.

Mutualism

A type of interaction where both species benefit from the relationship.

Controlled Experiment

Research where one variable is manipulated to determine its effect on another, with all other variables held constant.

Observational Research

Study where natural variation is observed and measured without manipulating the environment.

Comparative Method

A research approach that compares traits across multiple species to identify patterns.

Convergent Evolution

The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species due to similar selection pressures.

Divergent Evolution

The process whereby related species evolve different traits due to differing environmental pressures.

Analogous Traits

Traits that arise from convergent evolution and serve similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin.

Homologous Traits

Traits that are similar due to shared ancestry, even if their functions are different.

Phylogenetic Comparative Methods (PCM)

Statistical approaches used to analyze the evolutionary relationships among species based on their traits.

Phylogenetic Independent Contrasts (PICs)

A method that compares two traits by examining their differences as sister species diverge from a common ancestor.

Sperm Competition

The competition between sperm from different males to fertilize the eggs of a female.

Testes Size

A characteristic that may relate to reproductive success and can vary across species based on social structure.

Heritability

The proportion of trait variation in a population that is attributable to genetic variation.

Phylogenetic Signal

The extent to which related species resemble each other due to shared ancestry.

Internal Nodes

Hypothetical ancestral points in a phylogenetic tree representing shared ancestors of the species being studied.

Natural Variation

Differences among individuals within a species that can be measured and analyzed.

Statistical Significance

A measure of whether the results of an experiment are likely due to chance or represent true effects.

Trait Variation

Differences in given characteristics among individuals of the same species.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products, typically proteins.

Causal Relationship

A relationship where one event (the cause) directly affects another event (the effect).

Behavioural Traits

Actions or reactions of an organism triggered by external or internal stimuli.

Morphological Traits

Physical characteristics of an organism, such as structure and form.

Experimental Design

The structure and plan for conducting an experiment, including how to collect and analyze data.

Hypothesis Testing

The process of making a claim and testing its validity through scientific investigation.

Base Pair Sequences

The order of nucleotides in DNA that encode genetic information.

Ecological Relationships

The connections between organisms and their environment, including interactions like predation, competition, and mutualism.

Genetic Basis

The underlying genetic factors that contribute to the expression of a trait.

Adaptation Process

The series of steps through which a trait becomes advantageous for survival and reproduction in a given environment.

Research Methodology

The systematic approach used to conduct research, including collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.

Behavioural Ecology

The study of the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressures.

Field Studies

Research conducted in natural environments as opposed to controlled settings.