Macroevolution bio test

1. What was the name of Darwin’s ship?

HMS Beagle

In September 1935 which island Darwin landed on?

Galapagos Island

For how many years Darwin continues his work after coming back from Galapagos Island?

23 - 24 years

What did Darwin publish that caused an outrage in the civilized world?

the Origin of Species

How are amphibians (Example: Frog) found on different continents?

pangea connection => island hopping & land bridges

What is speciation? Provide a real life example of it.

speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.

Ex: Galapagos finches beaks adapting depending on their food source

What environmental pressure could have led to the changes in population in nature in real life?

Resource scarcity, predation, climate & temperature extremes, sexual selection, & disease

What is competitive advantage? Provide a real life example of it.

competitive advantage is the possession of a specific trait or behavior that allows one individual (or species) to outperform others in the race for survival and reproduction.

Ex: Use moth color example

What defines a species? 

A group of organisms that can interbreed and reproduce fertile offspring.

What organisms don’t fall under the species category?

Asexual organisms and organisms that can breed with others that are similar to them in the wild.

What is the best way for scientists to classify species?

Phylogenetic classification - genetic analysis and patterns in DNA etc.

What are Cladograms?

A cladogram is a diagram used in cladistics to show relations among organisms, while the root represents the common ancestor.

What are phylogenetic trees and when are they used instead of cladograms?

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents the evolutionary history of a group of organisms. They’re quite similar, except the tree uses molecular data.

adaptation definition

an adaptation is a specific heritable trait or behavior that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its particular environment.

ecomorph definition

An ecomorph is a group of species that have evolved similar physical characteristics (morphology) because they live in similar environments or "niches," even if they are not closely related.

In module 2 we determined the similarity of lizards with one another based on what type of information?

DNA sequence

What is convergent evolution? Provide an example.

Convergent evolution is the process where organisms that are not closely related independently evolve similar traits because they live in similar environments or face the same "problems" (selective pressures).

Ex: Dolphins & sharks, bats & birds

What is divergent evolution? Provide an example.

Divergent evolution is the process where groups from the same common ancestor evolve and accumulate differences, eventually leading to the formation of new species.

Ex: Mammoth & Elephant => come from a common ancestor

How did scientists discover convergent evolution?

By analyzing DNA in unrelated species.

What was Scientist Aaron interested in finding out? Which island he used to set up his study?

His research focused on evolution in real time through the lens of natural selection and sexual conflict. The island was located in a lake in South Florida.

Why did Aaron choose to work with Anoles?

He chose to work with Anole lizards because they are essentially the "fruit flies of the vertebrate world." They have a unique combination of traits that make them the perfect "test subjects" for studying how evolution works in nature.