Introduction to Life and Evolution

Flashcards about key vocabulary terms associated with life and evolution.

Cells

All life is made up of cells.

Respond to environment

All life responds to stimuli like temperature, light, and touch.

Metabolism

The collection of biochemical reactions in an organism that contribute to its life.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of relatively consistent internal conditions like temperature, pH and water balance.

Growth and reproduction

All life exhibits growth and development and is capable of making more of itself.

Evolution

All life can evolve as a group.

Evolution

Change of genetic material over time.

Population

A group of interbreeding organisms in a certain place or a certain time.

Hypothesis

A reasoned explanation or proposed relationship of a natural phenomenon that generates testable predictions.

Fact

A repeatedly observed/confirmed phenomenon.

Theory

A well-supported testable explanation about broad patterns in the natural world that is confirmed/supported by observations, facts, supported hypotheses, and inferences.

Homology

Shared similarities between species due to common ancestry.

Vestigial structures

Traits that are reduced over time, and no longer retain their primary function but are still present in related lineages.

Analogy (Homoplasy)

Similar structures due to evolutionary processes, not shared ancestry.

Fossil

The petrified remains or impression of a prehistoric organism.

Evolution Definition

Change in the heritable traits of a population through time.

Homeostasis

Ability of organisms to maintain a stable internal environment.

Evolution

Process by which organisms adapt to their environment over time

Analogous Structures

Structures with similar function but different evolutionary origin

Homologous Structures

Structures with similar evolutionary origin but not necessarily similar function

Evolution as Fact

Resistance of mosquitos to pesticides is an example of

Evolution

Evolution can occur through successive generations.

Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, Jean Baptiste Lamarck

Important scientists credited with the theory of evolution

Respond to environment

The ability of a living organism to adjust to changes in its environment.

Fact

Observed/confirmed phenomenon which can be used as evidence.

Common Ancestry

Homology is the shared similarities between species due to

Shared Ancestry

Homoplasy is similar structures due to evolutionary process, not

Evolution

Change in genetic material over time

Evolution as Theory

Homology, fossil records, and extant species used for experimentation all contribute to

Heritable

Evolution is a change in the __ traits of a population through time