Unit 5 test

Abiotic

Non-living factors in an ecosystem.

Adaptive

Traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

Evolution

Change in heritable traits over generations.

Allele Frequency

Proportion of a specific allele in a population.

Analogous Structure

Structures with similar functions but different origins.

Artificial Selection

Selective breeding by humans.

Biogeography

Study of the distribution of species

Binomial Nominclature

Naming system in taxonomy.

Biotic

Living factors in an ecosystem.

Clade

Group of organisms with a common ancestor.

Cladogram

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships.

Common Ancestor

Ancestor shared by two or more species.

Fitness

Ability to survive and reproduce.

Geographic isolation

Physical separation of populations.

Homologous Structures

Structures with a common evolutionary origin.

Linnean Taxonomy

 Hierarchical classification system.

Macroevolution

Evolutionary change above the species level.

Microevolution

Evolutionary change within a population.

Molecular Homology

Similarities in DNA sequences.

Natural Selection

Mechanism for evolution by differential survival and reproduction.

Phylogeny

Evolutionary history of a group of organisms.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in a given area.

Reproductive isolation

Barrier preventing interbreeding between populations.

Scientific law

Statement describing a natural phenomenon.

Scientific Theory

Well-supported explanation based on evidence.

Selective Pressure

Environmental factors influencing survival and reproduction.

Special Creation

Belief that species were independently created.

Species

Group of organisms capable of interbreeding.

Vetigial structure

 Remnant of a structure that had a function in an ancestor.

Domain

The highest level of classification, representing the most broad categorization of organisms. There are three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Each domain encompasses a wide range of species with distinct characteristics and evolutionary histories.

Kingdom

Below the domain level, the kingdom is a major taxonomic rank that groups together organisms with similar characteristics. For example, the kingdom Animalia includes all animals, while the kingdom Plantae includes all plants. There are currently six kingdoms recognized in biological classification.

Phylum

Within each kingdom, organisms are further classified into phyla based on shared characteristics. Phyla represent a level of classification below kingdom and group together organisms that are more closely related to each other than to those in other phyla. For instance, the phylum Chordata includes all vertebrates.

Class

The class is a taxonomic rank below phylum and groups together organisms that share even more specific characteristics. Classes further refine the classification of organisms within a phylum. For example, within the phylum Chordata, the class Mammalia includes all mammals.

Order

Orders are taxonomic ranks below class and group together organisms with similar characteristics and evolutionary relationships. Orders provide a more detailed classification of organisms within a class. For example, within the class Mammalia, the order Carnivora includes carnivorous mammals like lions and tigers.

Family

Families are taxonomic ranks below order and group together organisms that are even more closely related. Families are characterized by shared genetic and morphological traits. For example, within the order Carnivora, the family Felidae includes all cats.

Genus

The genus is a taxonomic rank below family and groups together closely related species. Organisms within the same genus share more specific characteristics than those in the same family. For example, the genus Panthera includes big cats like lions and leopards.

Species

The species is the most specific level of classification and represents a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species are distinguished by unique traits and are the fundamental unit of biological classification. For example, Panthera leo represents the species of lions.

Dates that Darwin sailed the world

1831 to 1836

Name of the ship he sailed on

HMS Beagle

Who simultaneously described the idea of natural selection

Alfred Russel Wallace

Name of Darwin’s book describing natural selection

On the origin of species

Year the book was published

1859

Age of the Earth

Approximately 4.5 billion years

Natural selection

 Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more. It is measured by changes in allele frequencies over generations. Examples include the peppered moth and antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Macro evolution

Speciation is the process where one species splits into two or more distinct species over time.

Phylogenies vs. Linnaean Taxonomy

Phylogenies show evolutionary relationships, while Linnaean taxonomy classifies organisms based on shared characteristics.

Micro Evolution

Microevolution refers to small-scale changes in gene frequencies within a population over a short period of time. It involves adaptations and variations that occur within a species, leading to changes in traits like color, size, or behavior.

What is Evolution evidence

Evidence of Evolution:

1. Fossil record

2. Comparative anatomy

3. Molecular biology

4. Biogeography

5. Comparative embryology