Climate, Biodiversity, and Evolution

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to climate, biodiversity, genetics, and evolution.

Solar radiation

The energy emitted by the sun that affects Earth's climate system, global temperature, air circulation, and precipitation patterns.

Equator

The geographical line around the middle of the Earth where sunlight is most direct and intense.

Dispersal

The movement of individuals away from their place of origin or from centers of high population density.

Abiotic factors

Non-living physical characteristics of the environment, such as temperature, sunlight, and salinity.

Whittaker diagram

A graphical representation used to identify the terrestrial biome expected for a given location based on average annual temperature and precipitation.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world, encompassing genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Species richness

The total number of different species within a given community.

Species evenness

The relative abundance of each species within a community, reflecting how evenly individuals are distributed among species.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that is the ultimate source of genetic variation.

Genotype

The specific genetic makeup or DNA sequences of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable physical and physiological traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Phenotypic plasticity

The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions.

Adaptation

The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment through genetic changes over generations.

Descent with modification

Darwin's concept that species evolve over time from common ancestors through natural selection.

Natural selection

The process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus passing those traits to the next generation.

Genotype-by-environment interaction

The way an organism's genotype can influence its phenotype differently depending on environmental conditions.

Acclimatization

A type of phenotypic plasticity where an individual adjusts to changes in its environment.

Evolutionary change

The change in the genetic composition of a population over generations.

Common descent

The idea that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Intermediate forms

Transitional species that exhibit traits common to both ancestral and descendant species, providing evidence for evolution.

Vestigial traits

Remnants of structures that had important functions in ancestors but have since lost their original purpose.

Biogeography

The study of the geographical distribution of species and ecosystems, providing evidence for descent with modification.

Artificial selection

The breeding of plants and animals for desirable traits, often resulting in significant changes over generations.

Transitional fossils

Fossils that show intermediate stages of evolution, bridging significant gaps between different groups of organisms.

Homology

Similarities in structure or molecular sequences among different species due to shared ancestry.

Fitness

The ability of an individual to survive and reproduce, contributing to the genetic makeup of the next generation.

Differential survival

The concept that some individuals in a population survive better due to advantageous traits.

Species-Area relationship

The principle that larger areas tend to have more species due to increased habitat diversity.

Elevation gradient

Changes in environmental characteristics associated with changes in altitude, affecting climate and biodiversity.

Genetic drift

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population, which can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time.

Selection pressure

Environmental factors that favor certain traits over others, guiding evolution.

Ecosystem diversity

The variety of ecosystems and ecological processes within a particular area.

Climate change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, often attributable to human activity.

Convergent evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in species of different lineages due to similar environmental pressures.

High-altitude adaptation

Genetic changes that allow populations to thrive in environments with lower oxygen levels.

Gradualism

The principle that evolution occurs slowly and steadily over long periods.

Evolution of perfection

A common misconception that evolution leads to the creation of perfect organisms; evolution operates within existing constraints.