GT Evolution Quiz Flashcards AHS BIO SEHGAL

What are the key points on how evolution arises from natural selection?

Individuals do not evolve; populations do; traits must be heritable; evolution depends on mutation and environmental change.

What is speciation?

The evolutionary process by which populations diverge to form new species.

What is the role of mutations in genetic variation?

Mutations generate new alleles, contributing to genetic variation within populations.

What are vestigial structures, and can you give an example in whales?

Remnants of features that served important functions in ancestors, such as the whale's vestigial pelvis.

How are heritable traits different from acquired traits?

Heritable traits are passed from parents to offspring, while acquired traits develop during an organism's lifetime and are not inherited.

What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Microevolution involves short-term changes in allele frequencies within a species, while macroevolution involves large-scale changes leading to new species over extended periods.

How does the biological species concept define a species?

A species is a group of populations whose members can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring, but are reproductively isolated from other such groups.

What is genetic drift?

The change in allele frequencies due to random sampling effects in small populations.

What is speciation?

The evolutionary process by which populations diverge to form distinct species.

What does homology refer to in evolutionary biology?

Homology refers to the similarity in DNA, protein sequences, or anatomical structures between individuals of the same or different species due to shared ancestry.

How do mutations contribute to genetic variation?

Mutations create new alleles, providing the raw material for evolution.

What are pseudogenes?

Genes that no longer function but originated from functional genes in ancestors.

Describe homology in the context of evolutionary biology.

Homology refers to the similarity in DNA or protein sequences between species due to shared ancestry.

What distinguishes sympatric from allopatric speciation?

Sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area, while allopatric involves geographic isolation.

What is gene flow in microevolution?

Gene flow is the transfer of genes between populations through migration.

Differentiate between sympatric and allopatric speciation.

Sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area, while allopatric occurs when populations are geographically isolated.

What is polyploidy and how does it contribute to speciation?

An increase in chromosome sets due to cell division errors, often leading to reproductive isolation and new species

What are the key points of natural selection as a mechanism of evolution?

Individuals do not evolve; populations do; traits must be heritable; evolution depends on mutations and environment.

How does the biological species concept define a species?

A species is a group of populations whose members can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring and are reproductively isolated from other such groups.

What are reproductive barriers?

Prevents different species from interbreeding successfully, either before or after fertilization.

What is gene flow in microevolution?

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations, affecting allele frequencies.

What is a phylogenetic tree and how is it constructed?

Illustrates evolutionary relationships based on similarities in protein or DNA sequences, such as myoglobin.

What is polyploidy in plants?

Polyploidy in plants is a condition where the number of chromosomes increases to three or more sets due to cell division accidents.

What is the significance of polyploidy in plant evolution?

Polyploidy often results in new species and can contribute to increased genetic diversity and adaptation.

How can polyploidy develop through different mechanisms?

Polyploidy can develop via fusion of unreduced gametes, fusion of a reduced and unreduced gamete, or chromosome doubling in a diploid individual.

What is adaptive radiation?

The diversification of a group of organisms into different ecological niches.

What distinguishes microevolution from macroevolution?

Microevolution involves small changes within a species over short periods; macroevolution involves large-scale changes leading to new species over long periods.

What is binomial nomenclature?

A system of naming species using two names: genus and species.

What are reproductive barriers?

Reproductive barriers are mechanisms that prevent interbreeding between species, either before or after fertilization.

What is the difference between heritable and acquired traits?

Heritable traits are passed from parents to offspring; acquired traits develop during an organism's lifetime and are not inherited.

What is a phylogenetic tree and how is it constructed?

A phylogenetic tree illustrates evolutionary relationships based on similarities in protein or DNA sequences.

What are the taxonomic levels used in classification?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Name some common polyploid plants and their ploidy levels.

Triploid: seedless watermelon and banana; Tetraploid: blackberries and peanuts; Hexaploid: sweet potato and wheat; Octoploid: strawberry.

What is polyploidy and its role in speciation?

Polyploidy is an increase in chromosome sets, which can cause reproductive isolation and lead to new species.