gt/aa biology: unit 4 (superbugs)

Evolution (as a long process)

Evolution is the process of change in a species over thousands to millions of years. This change is driven by genetic mutations, natural selection and environmental factors.

Biotic

Living things in an environment (animals, bacteria, plants)

Abiotic

Non-living things in an environment (sunlight, soil, water)

Natural Selection

Darwin's theory; an evolutionary mechanism in which organisms better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more and successfully

Variation

Differences between traits in individuals of the same species

Environmental Pressure

The influence that an environment has over an organisms evolution

Adaptation

The process of an organism being able to adjust to new environmental conditions or a physical/behavioral trait that improves an organism's survival

Gene expression

Information from a gene is used to created products like proteins or RNA that dictate a cell's function and structure

Speciation

Evolutionary process that splits a species into multiple genetically diverse ones.

Se/ual reproduction

A biological process in which two individuals produce offspring by combining their genetic information through sex cells called gametes (sperm and egg)

Asexual reproduction

A type of reproduction that doesn't fuse gametes, resulting in offspring genetically identical to its parent

Benefits of Group Behavior

Group behavior increases the survival and reproductive chances of a species, allowing them to increase fitness by defending themselves against predators, enhancing hunting efficiency, and a tolerance to the environment

Cladograms

A branching, tree-like diagram to show hypothesized evolutionary relationships and common ancestry among species

Common Ancestor

An ancestral species or population that two or more descendant species lineages have evolved (ex: pakicetus to the hippo)

Anatomical Evidence of Evolution

Comparing physical structures of organisms

Fossil Evidence of Evolution

Chronological record to show how life has changed over time through preserved remains

DNA Evidence of Evolution

All life shares a common ancestor and species will change over time due to natural selection and genetic mutations