Speciation

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to speciation, reproductive barriers, and evolutionary processes.

Biological Species Concept

Defines species based on the ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring.

Pre-zygotic Reproductive Barriers

Mechanisms that prevent mating or fertilization between species.

Post-zygotic Reproductive Barriers

Mechanisms that occur after fertilization, affecting viability or fertility of the offspring.

Speciation

The evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Clade

A group of organisms that consists of a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Divergent Evolution

The process whereby related species evolve different traits due to different environments or selective pressures.

Convergent Evolution

The process where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environments or ecological niches.

Homologous Structures

Anatomical features in different species that have similar origins but may serve different functions.

Analogous Structures

Anatomical features that serve similar functions in different species but do not share a common ancestor.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material between separate populations.

Gene Pool

The total collection of alleles in a population.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms.