Introduction to evolution, Biogeography, Population Genetics, and origin of species

Mammals

animals that have hair and mammary glands

microevolution

happens when some alleles become more common than others from generation to generation

selective agents

predators/consumers

speciation

the evolutionary process by which a single species diverges into two or more distinct species

Macroevolution

formation of a new species or groups of related species

natural selections

individuals with traits more likely to get them to reproductive age are more likely to pass down their genes

selective breeding

a human driven form of selection

allele

different forms of a specific gene

biogeography

the study of the geographic distribution of extinct and living species

endemic

found only in a specific location

convergent evolution

two species from different lineages have independently evolved similar characteristics

conversions

superficial resemblance in unrelated species

homolog

something that has been evolved in a common ancestor and has been passed down to all of its descendants

vestigial structure

a body part that has fallen into disuse

apoptosis

programmed cell death

Gene

unit of heredity, found in chromosomes

polymorphic

multiple genes on multiple chromosomes

random genetic drift

a set of circumstances that you cannot prevent by evolving. ex: migration, disease

directional selection

selection for specific alleles that support life better - bell curve shifts from left to right or vice versa

Stabilizing selection

a type of natural selection where the population mean stabilizes on a particular, non-extreme trait value

disruptive selection

extremes traits are encouraged

Balancing selection

occurs in a population when alleles exist in a population in stable frequencies due to selection ex. Sickle cell

sexual selection

form of natural selection, emphasizes things that will promote mating

intrasexual selection

males vs. males

intersexual selection

females have a role in deciding who to mate with

Bottleneck effect

a significant reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events, natural disasters, or human activities

Gene flow

the transfer of genetic material from one population of organisms to another

Random Mating

situation where individuals choose mates randomly with respect to their genotypes or phenotypes for a given trait

Assortive mating

a non-random mating pattern where individuals with similar traits or backgrounds are more likely to mate than would be expected by chance

Disassortive mating

 a mating pattern where individuals with dissimilar phenotypes or genotypes are more likely to mate with each other than if mating were random

Inbreeding

the mating of close relatives in species that are normally outbreeding

Morphology

Learning which traits are important to a species

polymorphic species

same species, looks completely different

temporal isolation

active at different times

mating attempted

different ‘equiptment’

allopatric speciation

no contact

parapatric

border contact

sympatric speciation

continuous contact