evolution
a change over time
units of evolution
population and species
population
a group of members of the same species living in the same place at the same time
species
a group of members that can breed and produce fertile offspring
charles darwin
created the theory of natural selection
natural selection
the mechanism that allows populations to become better adapted to the environment over generations
selection pressures
a change in environment that causes a need to adapt
components of natural selection
populations are capable of producing large numbers of offspring
variation exists within the offspring
individuals struggle for existance
differential inharitance of genes
ecosystem dynamics
the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
selection pressure types
biotic (living) factors
abiotic (non-living) factors
biotic factor examples
food webs
food chains
abiotic factor examples
pH levels
weather
climate
geology
identified broad observations of adaptation
unity of life
diversity of life
match between organisms and their environments
darwinian fitness
the contribution an individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation, relative to the contributions of other individuals
mode of selection
stabilizing selection
directional selection
disruptive selection
stabilizing selection
the average individual is favored
directional selection
one extreme is favored
disruptive selection
both extremes are favored
artificial selection
when human beings modify other species by selecting and breeding them for desired traits