Bio Final Note Cards 2026

Evolution

The change in allele Frequencies over time

Acquired traits can NOT be…

Inherited

What idea is supported by Darwin’s observation of local variation among tortoises in the Galápagos Islands?

Adaptation

What idea is supported by Darwin’s observation of local variation among tortoises in the Galápagos Islands?

Adaptation

Natural Selection is AKA…

Survival of the fittest

Fossils

Remains of Ancient Organisms

How does embryology support the Theory of Evolution?

It shows that embryos who develop similarly share a common ancestor

The similarities of the bones in the diagram provide evidence that…

The organisms may have developed from a common ancestor, making them homologous

Embryology

The study of Embryos and how they form.

Embryos

Unborn Babies

Species

A group of Organisms that can reproduce and have fertile offspring

Heritable Traits

Traits that are able to be passed on to another generation

Anatomy

The body structure of a living thing

Artificial Selection

Humans choose which traits we want animals to have and breed accordingly

Biogeography

The study of how living things are disturbed around the world

Variation

Differences between members of a population

Vestigial Structures

Inherited structures that are reduced in size (Overtime) and are no longer in use. Like the appendix or tailbone in humans.

Theory of Acquired Characteristics (Was proved to be wrong)

A theory that says that traits acquired in life (A tattoo for example) are passed down to future generations.

Gradualism

Slow processes that cause organisms to evolve over a very long period of time

Paleontology

The study of fossils or extinct organisms

Paleontologist

Someone who studies fossils

Natural Selection

A theory that says that individuals that have beneficial adaptations are more likely to mate and pass on those traits

Homologous

Structures found in different species that are similar in structure (Composition), but have different functions. (Ex. Cat and Human Arm)

Analogous

Structures that are similar in function, but are not similar in origin, meaning that they do not come from a common ancestor. (Ex. Whale and Shark Fins)

Recombination

The different ways chromosomes can match up

What 2 things must be true in order for organisms to be considered the same species?

1. They must have structural Similarities

2. They must be able to produce viable offspring

This distribution graph shows…

Stabilizing Selection

What does “p” represent in the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

The Frequency of the Dominant Allele

What is the formula for the frequency of Heterozygous individuals in a population?

2pq

If 16% of a population is unable to taste a certain chemical due to a recessive allele, what is the frequency of the recessive genotype?

0.16

If 16% of a population is unable to taste a certain chemical due to a recessive allele, what is the frequency of the recessive allele?

0.4

If 16% of a population is unable to taste a certain chemical due to a recessive allele, what is the frequency of the dominant allele?

0.6

If 16% of a population is unable to taste a certain chemical due to a recessive allele, what is the frequency of the dominant genotype?

0.36

If 16% of a population is unable to taste a certain chemical due to a recessive allele, what is the frequency of the heterozygous carriers?

0.48

Why is the Hardy-Weinberg useful in studying genetic disorders?

1. It helps in understanding the spread of disorders

2. It predicts the future genetic make-up of populations

3. It assists in calculating carrier probabilities

In the Hardy-Weinberg Equation, what does q² represent?

The recessive Genotype

What 5 conditions are NECESSARY for the Hardy-Weinberg equation to apply to a population?

1. Large Population size (No small size in population)

2. Random Mating (No Artificial Selection)

3. No Selection (Not one trait is better than the other/does not have any impact on reproductive fitness)

4. No Mutation (Every trait is going to be perfect)

5. No Migration (No animals leaving, No new animals joining)

Zone of Physiological Stress

Stress is found when the factor is too high or low, killing off the weaker members of the population

Optimal Range

The ideal amount of a factor that is best for the survival of a population

Zone of Intolerance

A zone that is significantly lacking in a factor for a population. Not survivable in the long term, causing the population to eventually die out.

This level of ecological organization includes both abiotic and biotic factors such as animals and water

Ecosystem

This occurs when more than one individual or population tries to use the same limited resource.

Competition

In order to reduce competition, some species will form a niche with other populations, even if they are similar in species, due to their abilities to do what?

Resource partition

Two raccoons fighting for dominance over a scrap of food is an example of what?

Intraspecific competition

Barnacles or animals that cannot move. In order to get food, they attach to whales and catch any floating plankton in the water. The whale is neither helped nor harmed in the interaction. What type of symbiosis is this?

Commensalism

A tapeworm lives in the intestines of a dog. It absorbs the food the dog has eaten and grows larger in the process. The dog becomes weaker from malnutrition. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?

parasitism

Starfish are probably the most important predator in the shallow ecosystem. This is because they eat basically anything that they can come across. Their feeding activities control the whole ecosystem. This is an example of the starfish’s…

Niche

Niche

An organism's role/responsibility in the ecosystem

The herbivore level in a food pyramid is also known as what?

Primary consumers

A rise in the population of prey is often followed by a ___ in the population of predators.

Rise

Decomposers

Recycles dead plants and animals and brings them back into the energy cycle

Detravores

Eat things that are already dead, but do not recycle them back into the energy cycle

How do mushrooms help plants?

Mushrooms decompose organic matter, which plants can then use from the soil.

Biotic

Living Things

Ecology

The study of living things and their interactions with the environment.

Specialists (In terms of animals)

Animals that only eat one thing

Carnivore

An animal that only eats meat

Herbivore

An animal that only eats plants

Omnivore

An animal that eats both meat and plants

Keystone species

Provides energy to all other organisms in an ecosystem

Abiotic

Non-Living things (air, water, soil)

Generalists

Animals that eat many things

Biodiversity

The variety of living things in an environment

A blizzard would be an example of what kind of limiting factor?

A density-independent limiting factor

carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals that the environment can support

Bottleneck Effect

A mechanism for evolution that is the result of a sudden decrease in population size (Normally a Natural disaster) that results in a decreased gene pool and inbreeding

Founder’s Effect

A mechanism for Evolution that occurs when a few individuals, from a large population, migrate to a new area (such as an island)

A duck’s webbed feet is an example of what kind of adaptation?

Structural/physical Adaptation

A snake’s venom, used to kill prey, is an example of what kind of adaptation?

Physiological Adaptaion

A bear hibernating for the winter is an example of what kind of adaptation?

Behavioral Adaptation

An Adaptaion

The actual thing that changes over time

Why do predators need plants in their ecosystem?

Plants provide food for the animals that the predators eat.

What organism is said to be the greatest number of diversity of species?

Insects

Convergent Evolution

The process by which unrelated or distinctly related organisms evolve similar traits or characteristics in response to similar environmental conditions.

Divergent Evolution

The process by which species that were once similar to an ancestral species, evolve and accumulate differences, resulting in the formation of a new species

Coevolution

The process in which two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution through natural selection

A spider is an example of what type of survivorship?

Type 3

A population of kangaroos that is stricken with disease is an example of what kind of limiting factor?

A density dependent limiting factor

What is the relationship between a hawk and a mouse?

Predation (Predator-Prey)