Evolution Flashcard

Evolution Flashcard Hell Yeah

Fossils

Remains of an organism / direct evidence of its prescence.

Body Fossils

Fossils of the organism, are caused by minerals depositing on the organism's hard parts (e.g., bones).

Trace Fossils

Not actual organism, impression left.

Transitional Fossils

Intermidiate forms, provide evolutionary link between species.

Key Factors of Fossils

1. Very Rare;

2. Mostly hard body parts (bones, etc.);

3. Mostly found in sedimentary rocks.

Conditions for Fossilisation

1. Rapid burial

2. Organism left undisturbed (e.g. no earthquakes)

3. Decomposition prevented (low oxygen and temperature)

Evolution

Change in characteristics of a species over gens; relies on natural selection.

Variation

Any differences in individual organisms of a species.

Cause: random mutations in organisms’ DNA

Note: if a mutation occurs in gametes, it can be passed down.

Speciation

Species is determined as a group of individuals that can interbreed to fertile offsprings.

Adaption

A structure / feature that enables an organism to survive / reproduce in their environment.

Types of Adaptions

1. Phycological

2. Structural

3. Behavioural

Natural Selection

Organisms better suited their environment which survive / produce more offsprings

Theory of Evolution

1. Variation

2. Survival by fittest

3. Inheritance

Primates

Evolved from ancestors that lived in trees (arboreal).

Features of Primates

1. Hands/feet: 5 toes

2. Opposable Thumbs

3. Power/Precision grips

4. Separated big toes

Frontal Lobe

Thinking

Parietal Lobe

Touch, Smell, etc.

Temporal Lobe

Memories

Occupital Lobe

Visual Activity

Homonoids

• ‘Apes‘, excludes monkeys

• No tail

• Agile tree climbers

  • Larger brain / longer arms, mobile shoulder joints, upright

Hominins

• All human species / bipedal ancestors

• Wlak upright (fully bipedal)

• Relatively large brains

• Arms shorter than legs