Evolution Vocabulary

Flashcards for vocabulary review.

Adaptation

A trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Allo Patric

Referring to speciation or divergence that occurs in separate, non-overlapping geographic areas.

Divergent Evolution

The process where different groups of the same ancestor evolve and accumulate differences, resulting in the formation of new species.

Role of mutations in evolution

Random changes in DNA sequence that can lead to new traits and are the raw material for evolution.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.

Gradualism

A model of evolution that proposes that species evolve slowly and steadily over long periods of time.

Evolutionary concept Of Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Reproductive Isolation

Mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding.

4 Principles of Natural Selection

Variation, Inheritance, Selection, and Time.

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

A principle stating that the genetic variation in a population will remain constant from one generation to the next in the absence of disturbing factors.

Human evelution and anatomical changes

Bipedalism, increased brain size, tool use, and the development of language.

Sympatric

Occurring within the same geographic area.

Reproductive isolation

Mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding.

Founder effect

The reduced genetic diversity that results when a population is descended from a small number of colonizing ancestors.

Genetic Dritt

Random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material from one population to another.