General Biology II – BIO202: Biodiversity & Evolution

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and concepts from the General Biology II lecture on Biodiversity and Evolution.

Academic Honesty

The principle that ensures all sources used must be cited and prohibits copying or using another's work as a template.

Biological Change

Another term for evolution, describing the change in organisms over time.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies within a population.

Homologies

Organisms that share similar characteristics due to a shared ancestry.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes that occur within populations over generations.

Natural Selection

The mechanism of evolution whereby individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Reproductive Barriers

Biological factors that prevent two species from interbreeding and producing viable offspring.

Speciation

The process by which one species splits into two or more distinct species.

Uniformitarianism

The principle that geological processes from the past are still occurring today at similar rates.

Punctuated Equilibrium

The theory that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Morphological Species Concept

A classification method that defines a species based on physical characteristics.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past.

Endemic Species

Species that are native to and found only in a specific geographic area.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations through migration.

Phenotype

The expressed physical characteristics or traits of an organism.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that may lead to genetic variation.

Allopatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated from one another.

Sympatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs without geographic isolation, often due to reproductive barriers.