Evolution and Plant Biology Lecture Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in evolution and plant biology based on the provided lecture notes.

What is evolution defined as in the context of the history of life on Earth?

Evolution is all the earth changes that have occurred in the history of life on Earth.

What did Jean Baptiste Lamarck propose about evolution?

He proposed that living things evolve through use and disuse and by passing acquired traits to offspring, which is now known to be incorrect.

What theory did Charles Darwin propose regarding evolution?

Darwin proposed that evolution occurs by natural selection, where the environment selects for the organisms that are fittest.

What is adaptive radiation?

Adaptive radiation is the process where a single ancestor species evolves into different forms that adapt to various environments.

What is allopatric speciation?

Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are separated by geographic barriers, leading to the accumulation of different adaptations.

List the five ideas of natural selection as proposed by Darwin.

1) Species over reproduce. 2) Variation exists among members of a species. 3) Resources are limited. 4) There is competition for resources. 5) The fittest survive and reproduce.

What is stabilizing selection?

Stabilizing selection favors the average trait within a population.

What is an example of directional selection?

Directional selection can be seen in the peppered moth phenotype change before and after the industrial revolution.

What are vestigial structures?

Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in early ancestors but are now reduced in size and function.

What is the significance of the Foramen Magnum in human evolution?

The Foramen Magnum is the large hole at the base of the skull that allows for the passage of the spinal cord; in humans, it is centered, indicating bipedalism.

What is homology in comparative anatomy?

Homologous structures are anatomically similar structures in different species that have different functions.

What are prezygotic and postzygotic barriers?

Prezygotic barriers prevent mating between species, while postzygotic barriers prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating.

What is biogeography?

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

What are the two prokaryotic kingdoms?

The two prokaryotic kingdoms are Bacteria (Eubacteria) and Archaea.

What are the characteristics of angiosperms?

Angiosperms are flowering plants that have seeds enclosed within a fruit.

What is the role of xylem and phloem in plants?

Xylem carries water and minerals upward from the roots, while phloem transports food made through photosynthesis throughout the plant.

What are the three domains of life?

The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What is the function of guard cells in plants?

Guard cells regulate the opening and closing of stomata to control water loss and gas exchange.

How do plants reproduce sexually?

Plants reproduce sexually through pollination, fertilization, and the formation of seeds within fruits.

What is the importance of water's unique properties for life?

Water's properties, including cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, and being a versatile solvent, contribute to the biological fitness of living organisms.

Why does water have a high specific heat?

Water has a high specific heat because it requires a large amount of energy to change its temperature due to hydrogen bonding.

What accounts for the density of ice being less than liquid water?

Ice is less dense than liquid water because it forms a crystalline structure that takes up more space than the liquid form.

What is the importance of water being a versatile solvent?

Water's ability to dissolve a wide range of substances is crucial for transporting nutrients and waste in biological systems.