Evolution Review Brief Description

Prokaryote

Cell lacking a nucleus and organelles

Heterotroph

Organism that obtains energy from consuming other organisms

Anaerobic

Process that does not require oxygen

Endosymbiotic theory

Theory explaining the origin of eukaryotic cells from symbiosis between prokaryotes

Chloroplast and mitochondria

Organelles with own DNA and double membrane, supporting endosymbiotic theory

Lamarck's theory of evolution

Inheritance of acquired characteristics through use/disuse

Darwin's theory of evolution

Natural selection based on heritable variation and survival of the fittest

Natural Selection

Process where best-adapted traits survive and are passed on to offspring

Overproduction

When a species produces more offspring than can survive

Competition

Struggle for resources among individuals of a species

Variation in a Species

Differences in traits among individuals of a species

Descent with Modification

Offspring differing from parents due to genetic changes over generations

Common Descent

Organisms share a common ancestor, evidenced by DNA similarities

Fitness

Ability of a phenotype to survive and reproduce in an environment

Carrying capacity

Maximum population size an environment can sustain

Phenotype vs. Genotype

Phenotype experiences the environment, leading to genotype changes

New alleles/traits sources

Mutations, immigration, and crossing over in a population

Directional selection

Shift towards one extreme trait in a population

Stabilizing selection

Selection for average trait in a population

Disruptive selection

Selection for extreme traits, leading to diversity

Gene pool

All alleles present in a population

Adaptive radiation

Diversification of a common ancestor into multiple species

Species

Group of organisms interbreeding and producing viable offspring

Reproductive isolation

Groups no longer interbreeding naturally, leading to separate species

Geographic, temporal, behavioral isolation

Mechanisms preventing interbreeding between groups

Genetic drift

Random allele frequency changes in small populations

Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium

Evolutionary change happening slowly over time vs. in spurts

Three domains of life

Bacteria, Archaebacteria, Eukarya; divide bacteria based on cell wall similarities

Six Kingdoms

Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia; classification of organisms

KPCOFGS

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species; taxonomic hierarchy

Species definition

Ability to breed and produce viable offspring