AP Biology Evolution Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to the theory of evolution, mechanisms of evolution, and evidence supporting evolutionary theory.

Natural Selection

Darwin's theory that individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

The conditions under which a population's allele frequencies remain constant in the absence of evolutionary forces.

Evidence for Evolution

Includes fossil records, biogeography, anatomical comparisons, molecular comparisons, and embryology.

Vestigial Structures

Body parts that have lost their original function over time.

Homologous Structures

Similar structures in different species that indicate common ancestry.

Analogous Structures

Structures that perform similar functions but are not derived from a common ancestor.

Evolutionary Fitness

A measure of how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment.

Adaptation

A trait that increases an organism's chances of survival and reproduction.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population, often having greater impact in small populations.

Founder Effect

A form of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population.

Bottleneck Effect

A drastic reduction in population size that decreases genetic diversity.

Gene Flow

Movement of genes or alleles between interbreeding populations.

Co-evolution

The process by which two or more species influence each other's evolution.

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species.

Divergent Evolution

The accumulation of differences between groups that leads to speciation.

Phylogenetic Trees

Diagrams that show the evolutionary relationships among different species.

Speciation Mechanisms

Processes that lead to the formation of new species, including geographic and reproductive isolation.

Punctuated Equilibrium

The hypothesis that evolution occurs in quick bursts followed by long periods of stability.

Gradualism

The theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily over time.

Abiogenesis

The original evolution of life from non-living matter.

RNA World Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that ribonucleic acid (RNA) was the key to the origin of life.