Bio 112 exam 1

Evolution

The change in organisms over time, also known as 'descent with modification'.

Misconceptions of Evolution

Common misunderstandings include that evolution is goal-oriented, creates new life forms suddenly, organisms can evolve during their lifetime, or is completely random.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Based on the ideas of descent with modification, where all species descend from a common ancestor, and natural selection as the mechanism driving evolution.

Natural Selection

The mechanism driving evolution where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Speciation

The origin of new species through mechanisms including allopatric and sympatric speciation.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

A condition in which allele frequencies in a population do not change over generations.

Mechanisms of Microevolution

Changes in allele frequencies through natural selection, genetic drift, founder effect, bottleneck effect, and gene flow.

Directional Selection

A form of natural selection that favors one extreme trait.

Binomial Nomenclature

The two-part scientific naming system for species, consisting of genus and species name.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species.

Molecular Clocks

Tools that use mutation rates to estimate divergence times in evolutionary history.

LUCA

The Last Universal Common Ancestor, from which all life on Earth evolved.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies within a population.

Founder Effect

A form of genetic drift occurring when a small group starts a new population, carrying only a small fraction of the original population's genetic variance.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Adaptive Radiation

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

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species, often as a response to similar environmental pressures.

Divergent Evolution

The process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environments.

Homologous Structures

Anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, indicating evolutionary relationships.

Analogous Structures

Body parts in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin.

Fossil Record

The collection of fossils that provides evidence for the history of life on Earth and evolutionary processes.

Biogeography

The study of the geographic distribution of species and ecosystems, providing insights into evolutionary history.

Punctuated Equilibrium

A theory suggesting that species evolution occurs in rapid bursts, followed by long periods of stability.

Transitional Fossils

Fossils that show intermediary forms between different groups of organisms, providing evidence for evolution.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another, impacting allele frequencies.

Sexual Selection

A mode of natural selection where individuals select mates based on desirable traits.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes that occur within a population, typically over short timeframes.

Macrospevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes that occur over geologic time, leading to the emergence of new species.

Co-evolution

The process where two or more species influence each other's evolution through mutual interactions.

Evolutionary Adaptation

The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment through evolutionary changes.

Extinction

The end of an organism or a group of organisms, often leading to reduced biodiversity.

Species Concept

Definitions of what constitutes a species, including biological, morphological, and phylogenetic concepts.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram depicting the evolutionary relationships between species based on their genetic and morphological traits.

Stabilizing Selection

A form of natural selection that favors average traits, reducing variation in a population.

Isolation Mechanisms

Factors that prevent different species from interbreeding, leading to speciation, including geographic and reproductive isolation.