BIO 3101 Exam Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to molecular biology and evolution, aiding in exam preparation.

Synonymy of a taxon

The list of alternative names for a taxon that are equally valid under the rules.

Molecular study conclusions on bird phylogeny

Findings indicating that land birds are paraphyletic, water birds are monophyletic, and ratites are not monophyletic.

Sequencing method used in the early tree of life study (1970s)

RNA sequencing using ribosomal RNA.

Molecular clocks

Tools that can show different slopes for genes with varying rates of substitution, calibrated with mutation time.

Inbreeding's effect on allele frequencies

Inbreeding affects allele frequencies especially for deleterious alleles.

Recessive genotype frequency calculation

Multiply the recessive allele frequency by itself.

Average time to speciation

About 2-3 million years, recorded by molecular clocks.

Macroevolution example

Change in allele frequencies of a population is not an example of macroevolution.

ACCTG to ACTTG example

A substitution and a transition.

Homologous trait in two species

A trait that is inherited through evolution but not functionally similar.