Evolution test

Evidence of evolution Homologous structures Vestigial structures Fossils and how you know what is older Biogeography Skulls of hominids Natural Selection How alleles can change in a population Domains-Kingdoms, etc Cladograms Origin of Life Miller and Urey Endosymbiotic Theory Analogous Structures Darwin’s principles of natural selection Endosymbiotic Theory Hardy Weinberg

What are homologous structures?

Structures in different species that are similar due to shared ancestry but have different functions.

What evidence supports the endosymbiotic theory?

1) Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA, similar to bacterial DNA. 2) They reproduce through binary fission, like bacteria. 3) They have double membranes, indicating they were engulfed. 4) Ribosomes in mitochondria and chloroplasts closely resemble those of bacteria.

What are vestigial structures?

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution.

How are fossils used in understanding evolution?

Fossils provide evidence of past organisms and help reconstruct evolutionary history.

What is relative dating in fossils?

Determining the age of fossils by comparing their placement in sedimentary rock layers.

What is biogeography?

The study of how species and populations are distributed across geographical locations.

What is a hominid skull?

A skull belonging to the family of great apes and humans, providing insights into human evolution.

What is natural selection?

A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring (survival of the fittest).

How can alleles change in a population?

Allele frequencies can change due to mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.

What are domains in biological classification?

The highest level of taxonomy which includes Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

What is a cladogram?

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

What is the origin of life?

The process by which living organisms first appeared on Earth from non-living matter.

What was the Miller and Urey experiment?

A scientific experiment that simulated early Earth conditions and demonstrated how organic compounds like aminoacids could form.

What is the endosymbiotic theory?

The theory that eukaryotic cells originated through endosymbiosis of prokaryotic cells, engulfing them and living in mutual cooperation until they became part of the eukaryotes as organelles.

What are analogous structures?

Structures in different species that serve similar functions but evolved independently.

What are Darwin's principles of natural selection?

1) More offspring is produced than what survives

2) Those offspring have variability

3) There's competition for resources

4) Those better adapted survive and pass on that trait to next generation

5) Eventually the entire population has that trait

What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

A principle that describes the genetic equilibrium of a population and the conditions under which evolution does not occur.

What evidence supports the theory of evolution?

Fossils, homologous structures, vestigial structures, anatomy, embryology, and genetic similarities provide strong evidence.

What is a mutation?

A random change in the genetic sequence that can lead to variation in a population.

What is genetic drift?

A random change in allele frequencies in a small population that can lead to significant evolutionary changes.

What does survival of the fittest mean?

It refers to the idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

What is reproductive isolation?

A collection of mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding.

What is speciation?

The process by which new species arise from existing species.

What factors can threaten biodiversity?

Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation are major factors.

How does natural selection affect allele frequency?

Natural selection favors alleles that contribute to survival and reproductive success, increasing their frequency.

What is artificial selection?

The process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic traits.

What are fossils of transitional species?

Fossils that exhibit traits common to both an ancestral group and its derived descendant group.

What is a phenotype?

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism.

What is a genotype?

The genetic makeup of an organism, which determines its traits.

What role does genetic variation play in evolution?

Genetic variation is essential for natural selection to occur, providing material for evolution.

What is a phylogenetic tree?

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences.

What is the significance of embryology in evolution?

Embryonic development similarities among species provide clues to evolutionary relationships.

What are Darwin's finches?

A group of finch species studied by Darwin that exemplify adaptive radiation and evolution.

What is convergent evolution?

The process whereby unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

What is divergent evolution?

The accumulation of differences between closely related species, often due to different environments.

What are the three domains of life in taxonomy?

The three domains are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

What is gene flow?

The transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another.

What is the significance of isotopic dating?

Isotopic dating helps determine the age of rocks and fossils through radioactive decay.

What is adaptive radiation?

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor.

What is coevolution?

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

What role does extinction play in evolution?

Extinction can open niches that allow other species to evolve and diversify.

What is the significance of comparative anatomy?

Comparative anatomy helps identify structural similarities that indicate evolutionary relationships.

What do molecular clocks measure?

Molecular clocks estimate the time of divergence between species based on genetic mutations.

What are the levels of ecological organization?

Organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere.

What is a niche?

The role and position a species has in its environment, including habitat and interactions.

What is a keystone species?

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

What are hominoids?

Hominoids, commonly known as apes, include all species of great apes and lesser apes, characterized by their lack of tails and greater flexibility of shoulder joints.

Who is Lucy in the context of human evolution?

Lucy is a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton discovered in Ethiopia, providing significant evidence of early human bipedalism.