APES - Evolution/Biodiversity Study Guide

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

No nucleus vs. nucleus

Species

Potential liability to produce fertile offspring

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

How to Write a Scientific Name

Genus, then species

Why Scientific Names are Superior to Common Names

Universal, provide taxonomic information

Chemical Evolution Steps

Formation of earth, small organic molecules form, large organic molecules form, protocells form

Biological Evolution Steps

Single cell prokaryotes form in ocean, bacteria form in ocean, unicellular eukaryotes form in ocean, sex, multicellular eukaryotes form in ocean, then colonize land

Evidence of the Past

Fossil records, radioactive dating, DNA, ice and mud cores

Gene

Sequences of DNA that code for traits

Gene Pool

A population’s collection of genes

Allele

Different forms of a gene

Convergent Evolution

Distantly related species evolve similar traits

Divergent Evolution

Common ancestors split into different species that become distant overtime

Co-Evolution

Different species evolve together based on each other’s adaptations

Adaptive Trait

Beneficial mutation

Differential Reproduction

Reproductive advantage

Mutation

Random change in the DNA structure of an individual

Selective Pressure

Environmental conditions that lead to the possibility of mutations being beneficial

Fundamental Niche

Potential Niche

Realized Niche

Real Niche

Generalist

Broadly adapted

Specialist

Specific need

Directional Natural Selection

Environmental conditions leading to one end’s allele frequencies becoming more prevalent

Stabilizing Natural Selection

Eliminates individuals on the extremes of variability

Diversifying Natural Selection

Extremes are favored and average is eliminated

Adaptive Radiation

Rapid evolution of numerous species to fill the void created by mass extinctions

Background Extinction

Low and slow

Mass Depletion

The in-between

Mass Extinction

Up to 70% species go extinct over a few million years

Impacting Factors of Speciation/Extinction

continental drift, climate change, meteor strikes

CITES Treaty

Bans the hunting, capturing and selling of ES and their products

ESA

• Makes illegal to hunt/kill ES

• Sell/buy products made from ES

• Damage critical habitat of ES