Evolution and Origin of Life Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the evolution of the universe, theories of the origin of life, evolutionary evidence, population genetics, and human evolution based on lecture notes.

Big Bang Theory

Proposed by Abbe Lamaitre, it suggests the universe began with a sudden explosion of condensed matter that then expanded.

NEBULA

A disc-shaped mass formed from clouds of hydrogen and helium gases that condensed under gravitational force, leading to the formation of the Sun and planets.

Theory of Special Creation

Proposed by Father Suarez, this theory claims life was created by a supernatural power approximately 7000 years ago, as described in texts like the Bible and by figures like Brahma.

Cosmozoic / Panspermic Theory

Proposed by Richter and Arrhenius, it suggests that life came from other planets in the form of spores.

Theory of Abiogenesis

Also known as spontaneous genesis or auto biogenesis, it posits that life originated from abiotic factors or decaying matter, such as mud from the Nile river.

Theory of Biogenesis

Proposed by Harvey and Huxley, this theory states that life originated only from pre-existing life.

Oparin and Haldane Theory

A widely accepted theory stating that life originated in the warm waters of the primitive ocean through the reaction of organic compounds.

Chemogeny

The first stage of chemical evolution involving the formation of chemicals as temperature cooled and volcanic lava settled.

RIBOZYME

An RNA molecule that acts as an enzyme and is a single-stranded, self-replicating genetic material.

Homologous Organs

Organs that share the same origin, common ancestor, and structure but have different functions, such as the forelimbs of a human, whale, cheetah, and bat.

Divergent Evolution

The evolutionary pattern on which homologous organs are based, where related species develop different traits.

Analogous Organs

Organs with different structures and origins that perform the same function, such as the wings of birds and insects.

Convergent Evolution

The process where organisms not closely related independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments.

Vestigial Organs

Functionless or rudimentary organs that were functional in ancestors, such as the nictitating membrane, wisdom teeth, or appendix in humans.

Atavism / Reversion

The sudden occurrence of ancestral characters that were lost long ago during evolution, such as a tail in a newborn baby.

Adaptive Radiation

The evolution of a single ancestral species into different species to acquire different habitats in search of food, exemplified by Darwin's Finches and Australian Marsupials.

Geological Time Scale Units

The timeline of Earth's history divided into Eras (largest unit), Periods, and Epochs (smallest unit).

Saltation

A term for mutation describing evolution as a quick and jerky process where new species arise from old ones in a single generation.

Gene Pool

The total number of genes and their alleles within a population.

Genetic Drift

Also known as the Sewall Wright effect, it is a sudden, chance change in the gene pool of a small population.

Allopatric Isolation

Speciation that occurs when a population is isolated by a geographical barrier.

Hardy Weinberg Law

A principle stating that in a randomly mating population, gene frequencies remains constant ($p + q = 1$) and ($p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$) in the absence of evolutionary changes.

Anthropology

The study of human evolution based on fossil evidence.

Dryopithecus / Proconsul

The common ancestor of man and apes that lived approximately $15 \times 10^6$ years ago during the Miocene epoch with a cranial capacity of $100\text{ CC}$.

Australopithecus

Living approximately $2\text{ MYA}$, this species was the first ape-like man to stand on two legs (bipedal) and includes the fossil known as 'Lucy'.

Homo habilis

Known as the 'tool maker' or 'skillful man,' this species had a cranial capacity of $700\text{ CC}$ and used sharpened stones to crack nuts.

Homo erectus

Species from the Pleistocene epoch ($1.5\text{ MYA}$) that was able to run and was the first to use fire for cooking and defense.

Neanderthal Man

The first 'cultured man' who wore animal skins, built huts, and performed ceremonial burials for the dead.

Cro-magnon Man

The direct ancestor of modern man with the largest cranial capacity ($1600\text{ CC}$), known for creating cave paintings and ornaments.