Introduction to Evolution

What explains the changes of populations of time along with some species surviving and others becoming extinct?

The diversity within a species and interaction had with organisms and their environment.

What is the biological definition of an adaptation?

A structure, behaviour, or physiological process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

What are the different types of adaptation?

Structural, behavioral, and psychological

What is mimicry in the context of structural adaptations?

A phenomenon where a harmless species resembles a harmful species in coloration or structure to gain a survival advantage.

What is the primary source of new genetic variation in a species?

Random, heritable mutations in genetic material (DNA).

Under what condition can a mutation be passed on to future generations?

If the mutation occurs in the DNA of a gamete.

What is a beneficial mutation?

A mutation that increases the reproductive success of an organism and is favoured by natural selection.

What is a harmful mutation?

A mutation that reduces the reproductive success of an individual and is not favoured by natural selection.

What is a neutral mutation?

A mutation that has no selective advantage or disadvantage for the organism.

What determines whether a variation becomes an adaptation?

Environmental conditions determine if a variation provides a positive, negative, or neutral effect on survival and reproduction.

How does a helpful variation become a characteristic of a population?

Individuals with the helpful variation are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing the trait to offspring, which increases the frequency of the trait in the population.

What is a selective advantage?

A genetic advantage that improves an organism's chance of survival, especially in a changing environment.

Why is rapid reproduction significant for evolution?

It allows populations to quickly spread new alleles that may provide a selective advantage when the environment changes.

What is an example of rapid reproduction leading to a selective advantage?

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

How do human activities influence the evolution of species?

Activities like deforestation and land cultivation change environments, which can make previously insignificant characteristics critical for survival.

What is the definition of evolution?

The process that has transformed life on Earth from its earliest form to the vast diversity seen today, characterized by descent with modification.

What is the fundamental change that occurs during evolution?

A change in the genes of a population over a period of time.

Do individuals or populations evolve?

Populations evolve; individuals do not change their genetic makeup over their lifetime.

What is camouflage an example of?

A structural adaptation.

What type of adaptation is migration?

A behavioural adaptation.

What type of adaptation is hibernation?

Both a physiological and a behavioural adaptation.

What is the result of the combination of genetic material from two parents?

Greater genetic variation among individuals within a population.

Why do some species go extinct?

They fail to adapt to changing environmental conditions or interactions with their environment.

Are evolutionary changes purposeful?

No, they are the result of random mutations and environmental selection pressures, not purposeful intent.