Honors Biology 9 Midterm Study Guide

vestigial structure as evidence for evolution

They provide strong evidence of common ancestry and can help us trace the evolutionary origin of the species with vestigial structure

Sexual selection

the selection of mates based on heritable traits

True signal

Attractive trait that shows a male is healthy and strong genetically

False signal (aka exaggerated signal)

Attractive trait in a male that lies about being strong and healthy genetically

Base pairing

Adenine+ Thymine, Cytosine+ Guanine

evolution

change in characteristics of populations over time

population

the amount of a species in a given area

natural selection

when beneficial traits for an environment become more common

heritable

passed from a parent to offspring via genetic material (gene)

trait

specific characteristics of an individual

biodiversity

total of the variety of organisms in the biosphere

adaptive radiation

process by which a single species of a small group of species evolves into several different forms

speciation

formation of a new species

genotype

the genes that pass on inherited traits

phenotype

physical trait from your genes

genetic material

nucleic acids like DNA and RNA which contains genes

characteristics

physical traits made from proteins

inheritable

a trait encoded in DNA passed from parent to offspring

comparative anatomy as evidence for evolution

the study of similarities in the anatomical structure of different species. It provides evidence of relativity between different organisms

proteins and amino acids as evidence for evolution

similar proteins show species can be related

species

organisms that can breed and produce offspring with some exceptions

acquired trait

a trait an organism obtains during its life but can't pass down via genes

genes

a sequence of bases that code for instructions to make proteins

organisms

all living things

5 conditions required for natural selection: Variation

the result of random mutations or copying errors that arise when cells divide as new organisms

5 conditions required for natural selection: inheritance

when organisms reproduce, they pass on their DNA - the set of instructions encoded in living cells for building bodies - to their offspring

5 conditions required for natural selection: selection

beneficial traits for the current environmental conditions become more common. Those traits are inherited and become more common over generations

5 conditions required for natural selection: time

advantageous traits help some individuals survive and reproduce over many generations

5 conditions required for natural selection: adaptation

heritable characteristics that increase an organisms ability to survive in an environment

fossil record

fossil records show that species have changed over time

biogeography

island species have unique characteristics compared to ancestors on the main land

comparative anatomy

many species share similar physical features they inherited from a common ancestor

genetics

DNA comparisons show how related species are

Molecular methods

amino acids and protein comparisons show how related species are

direct observation

evolution can be directly observed in organisms with short life cycles

vestigial structure

organs or body parts that have lost most of there original structure

Sexual selection can lead to extreme versions of traits because of. . .

reproduction, choice, becomes more drastic

ex. peacocks

evolution can be defined as . . .

the change in the inheritable, heritable, and genetic characteristics

beneficial characteristics that evolve can be defined as. . .

genetic traits that help organisms survive and traits best adapted to the current environment

Evidence of evolution

amino acid similarities, protein similarities, DNA similarities, and fossils

fossils are evidence for evolution because. . .

they show change over time and they are a common and reliable source for DNA from ancient organisms

vestigial structures in humans
*there will be a pic on the test

moving ears, hair on body, 3rd molar, vermiform appendix, pointed canine, caudal vertebrae

evolution ins influenced by the variation of traits by. . .

an increase in beneficial traits, traits that help you survive become more common, and environmental conditions

Darwin observed the similarities between. . .

fossil and modern organisms, organisms in different locations, and environmental conditions like the type of food available (not DNA)

Organic compounds

Compounds primarily made of carbon atoms. Need to know Hydrologic cycle (another name for the water cycle)

Inorganic compounds

Compounds not primarily based on carbon.

Biomolecules

Molecules essential for life processes, they include Carbohydrates, (CHO) Lipids (CHO), Nucleic acids (CHONP), Proteins (CHONPS).

Carbon

Element with atomic number 6, essential for life. Carbon has 4 visible electrons, that bond with other molecules, and 2 that are invisible.

Protons

Positively charged particles in atomic nuclei. Protons balance the electrons.

Neutrons

Neutral particles in atomic nuclei. Neutrons hold the atom together, and can form radiotactivity.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles surrounding atomic nuclei. Electrons form bonds, that is what forms the entire universe.

Carbon bonding

Carbon's ability to form stable bonds with various elements. Carbon often bonds with hydrogen, carbon has 4 bonds. carbon can form rings, chains, and complex structures.

Monomers

Small units that combine to form biomolecules.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds in carbon chains.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with one or more double bonds.

DNA

Molecule carrying genetic information in cells.

RNA

Molecule involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.

Photosynthetic pigments

Molecules that absorb light for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

Process converting light energy into chemical energy.

Reactants of photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide and water used in photosynthesis.

Products of photosynthesis

Glucose and oxygen produced during photosynthesis.

Surface tension

Water attracting water, called cohesion "sticky"; example: water striders.

Life cycle

Series of stages in an organism's development.

Examples of life cycles

Frog, butterfly, ferns, jellyfish, and plant life cycles.

Water in life cycles

Essential for reproduction in many organisms.

Evolution in water

Life originated and evolved in aquatic environments.

Water as solvent

Dissolves many substances when its positive atoms attract negative atoms on compounds, or vise versa. Water is the universal solvent b/c it dissolves many compounds.

Transport in organisms

Water carries nutrients and waste in living systems, also minerals (phosphorous), glucose (for energy and cellular respiration).

Cell survival needs

Nutrients, water, and appropriate environmental conditions.

Adhesion

Attraction between different substances water sticking to other substances; example: water droplets on leaves, to add more water absorption for photosynthesis.

Cohesion

Attraction between similar substances; example: water, and water droplets.

Biological Role of Water

Essential for biochemical reactions and maintaining homeostasis.

Universal solvent

Water's ability to dissolve many substances.

Essential nutrients

Compounds like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, glucose, oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

Damage caused by reactive oxygen species in cells.

Reactive oxygen species

Highly reactive molecules that can damage cells.

Hypothalamus function

Regulates body temperature through homeostatic mechanisms.

Phosphorus movement

Transfers from lithosphere to biosphere via biological processes.

Atmospheric water cycle

Movement of water vapor through evaporation and precipitation.

Hydrosphere

Water movement in Earth's systems, including oceans and rivers.

Lithosphere

Water movement through Earth's crust as groundwater.

Biosphere

Plants absorb and release water, contributing to moisture.

Condensation

Water vapor cools and forms liquid droplets.

Precipitation

Water falling from the sky as rain or snow.

Sublimation

Ice turns directly into vapor without liquid phase.

Runoff

Excess water moving across land when absorbed.

Transpiration

Plants release water vapor through leaf pores.

How does water help joints?

It reduces friction, this is called lubrication.