Mechanisms of Evolution Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the mechanisms of evolution, based on lecture notes.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species that can interbreed in a geographically defined area.

Gene Pool

The collection of all alleles of all genes present in a population.

Allele Frequency

The frequency with which each allele occurs in a population.

Evolution

The change in the genetic composition of a population over generations, leading to changes in heritable traits and the emergence of new species.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism. Often considered the driving force behind evolution because it introduces new genetic variation.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with traits that better enable them to adapt to their environment tend to survive and reproduce in greater numbers than others of their species.

Hybridization

The process of interbreeding between individuals of different species or genetically distinct populations, leading to gene flow and potential changes within a population.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution in which allele frequencies of a population change over generations due to chance events.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Founder Effect

A type of genetic drift where a new population is established by a small number of individuals from a larger population, resulting in reduced genetic variation.

Sexual Selection

A mode of natural selection in which members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with (intersexual selection), and compete with members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex (intrasexual selection).