Introductory Biology of Organisms – Final Exam Review

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions for the biology final exam.

Evolutionary Thinking

Concept that encompasses the unity of life, diversity of life, and adaptation.

Paleontology

The study of fossils, particularly how they relate to the history of evolution.

Natural Selection

Process by which individuals with certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates.

Adaptations

Inherited characteristics that enhance an organism's survival and reproduction in specific environments.

Genetic Drift

Chance events that cause allele frequencies to fluctuate unpredictably from one generation to the next.

Gene Flow

Transfer of alleles into or out of a population due to the movement of fertile individuals or their gametes.

Hardy-Weinburg Equilibrium

A population is not evolving; allele and genotype frequencies remain constant.

Founder Effect

Genetic drift that occurs when a few individuals become isolated from a larger population.

Bottleneck Effect

Genetic drift resulting from a severe drop in population size.

Sexual Selection

Process in which individuals with certain inherited traits are more likely to obtain mates.

Homology

Underlying similarity of characteristics in related species that can function differently.

Speciation

The process by which new species arise, often due to reproductive isolation.

Osmoregulation

Processes by which animals control solute concentrations and balance water gain and loss.

Endotherm

An animal that uses internal metabolic processes as a major heat source.

Ectotherm

An animal whose body temperature is primarily determined by external conditions.

Ecosystem Services

Processes through which natural ecosystems help sustain human life.

Trophic Structure

Feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Biogeochemical Cycle

Nutrient cycles involving biotic and abiotic components in ecosystems.

Migration

Regular, long-distance change in location by an animal.

Mutualism

Interspecific interactions that benefit both species involved.

Predation

Interaction where one species (predator) kills and eats another (prey).