Evolutionary Processes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on evolution, natural selection, micro/macro evolution, evidence for evolution, antibiotic resistance, biogeography, and vestigial/homologous traits.

Evolutionary processes

The mechanisms by which evolution occurs, including changes in allele frequencies and selection on heritable variation across generations.

Natural selection

Differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to heritable variation, leading to changes in populations over time.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes within a population or species, often involving allele frequency shifts.

Macroevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes that lead to new species or higher taxa, typically observed over longer timescales.

Evidence for Evolution

Data supporting evolution, commonly including the fossil record, geographic distribution, homologous traits, and vestigial traits.

Fossil record

Preserved remains or traces of past life used to infer evolutionary patterns and transitions.

Geographic distribution of species

Patterns of where species live and how they are related, supporting historical patterns of evolution.

Homologous traits

Traits that share a common ancestry and structural similarity, even when their functions differ.

Vestigial traits

Traits that persist in a lineage but have lost or reduced function, remnants of past adaptations.

Transitional forms

Intermediary forms that show evolutionary links between major groups or species.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), a key organism in studying antibiotic resistance.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Rifampin

Antibiotic that binds to RNA polymerase and inhibits transcription; bacteriostatic.

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

rpoB gene

Gene encoding part of RNA polymerase; mutations confer rifampin resistance.

Point mutation

A single nucleotide change that can alter amino acids and affect drug binding.

Bacteriostatic

Describes antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth rather than killing them outright.

Antibiotic resistance

Bacteria's ability to survive exposure to antibiotics due to genetic changes or acquired traits.

Random mutation

Mutations that arise by chance, not as a direct response to antibiotics.

Selection pressure

Environmental factor (e.g., an antibiotic) that favors certain genotypes over others.

Island biogeography

Study of how island features influence species colonization, isolation, and speciation.

Wallace's line

Biogeographic boundary separating distinct faunas (e.g., marsupials vs placentals) across regions.

Anolis lizards

Caribbean lizards that illustrate island niche diversification and adaptive radiation.

Honeycreepers

Hawaiian songbirds that diversified into many ecological niches demonstrating adaptive radiation.

Marsupials

Mammals whose young complete development in a pouch after birth.

Placental mammals

Mammals whose young develop in the uterus with a placenta nourishing the embryo.

Evolution of complex eyes

Idea that eyes evolved through intermediate, progressively advantageous stages.

Gill pouch

Embryonic structure showing developmental homology across vertebrates; used as evidence for shared ancestry.

Pelvic girdles in whales

Vestigial pelvic bones in modern whales that persist despite reduced or absent function.

Transitional eyes in extant species

Living examples showing intermediate stages of eye evolution across species.