Evolutionary Biology Concepts

A collection of flashcards focusing on key concepts from evolutionary biology, including definitions and explanations related to sexual selection, taxonomy, and fossil records.

Sexual Selection

A form of natural selection where individuals with certain inherited traits are more successful at obtaining and reproducing, even if those traits reduce survival.

Trade-off

A situation where one beneficial trait is linked to a disadvantageous one, such as large features in peacocks requiring lots of energy.

Frequency Dependent Selection

A form of natural selection where a phenotype's or genotype's fitness depends on its frequency relative to others in the population.

Taxonomy

The science of naming and classifying organisms within a hierarchical system.

Homology

Similar traits in organisms due to common ancestry.

Analogy

Similar biological traits in different species that evolved independently.

Convergent Evolution

The evolution of similar traits in distantly related species due to similar environments or selective pressures.

Phylogenies

Diagrams that represent the genetic similarity and evolutionary lineage over time, including nodes representing common ancestors.

Species Diagnosis

The process of distinguishing species from each other through morphology.

Reproductive Isolation

Mechanisms that prevent species from mating and producing fertile offspring.

Allopatry

Speciation in which populations are geographically separated.

Sympatry

Speciation that occurs in populations that live in the same geographic area.

Principle of Parsimony

The idea that the simplest explanation, with the fewest assumptions, is preferable in forming hypotheses.

Monophyletic Group

A group that includes a single ancestor and all of its descendants.

Molecular Clock

A technique used to estimate the timing of evolutionary events by measuring genetic mutations over time.

Fossils

Ancient remains or evidence of life in the past.

Absolute Age

The determination of the age of a fossil through methods like radioisotope dating.

Mass Extinction

A significant increase in the extinction rate of a large number of species in a relatively short period.

Cambrian Explosion

A major event about 541 million years ago marked by a rapid increase in the diversity of life forms.