Evolution Notes

Test Clyne 5/18/26

derived traits

newly evolved features, such as feathers, that do not appear in the fossils of common ancestors

ancestral traits

more primitive features, such as teeth and tails, that do not appear in ancestral forms

homologous structures

antomically similar structures inherited from a common ancestor

analogous structures

can be used for the same purpose and look similar, but are not inherited from common ancestors

vestigial structures

structures that are the reduced forms (from lack of ose) of funtional structures in other organisms. ex: apendix

Comparitive embryology

vertebrate embryo exhibit homologous structures during certain phases of development but become totally different structures in adult forms

adaption

a trait shaped by natraul selection that increases an organisms reproductive success

fitness

is a measure of the relative contribution an indiviual trait makes to the next generation

camouflage

allows organisms to become almost invisible to predators. ex: leafy sea dragon

mimicry

is when one species evolves to resemble another species. ex: western coral snake

taxonomy

the study of classification and how we organize the diversity of living things

what is classification used for?

biologists use a system of classifcation to organize info about the diversity of living things.

whats a taxa

a named group of organisms

whats the list of taxa from most specific to broadest

species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain

Taxas: species

1 most specific. a group of organisms consisiting of similar indivuals capable of exchanging genes

Taxas: genus

2nd most specific. a group of species that are closely related and share a common ancestor

Taxas: family

3rd most specific. the next higher taxon, consisting of similar related genera.

Taxas: order

4th most specific: contains related families

Taxas: class

5th most specific: class contains related families

Taxas: phylum

6th most specififc: contains related classes

Taxas: kingdom

7th most specific: that taxon of related phyla or divisions

Taxas: domain

The broadest: is the broadest of all the taxa and contains one or more kingdoms.

The 3 rules of scientific names

• The first letter of the genus name always is capitalized, but the rest is lowercase.

• If a scientific name is printed, it should be italicized.

• When a scientific name is written, both parts of the name should be underlined.

1. What is the difference between Genus and Species in regards to their scientific notation?

Genus name comes before the Species name and the first letter in the genus name is capitalized. 

1. Name the 3 Domains and the Kingdoms they contain.

Domain Archaea contains the kingdom Archaea

Domain Bacteria contains the kingdom Bacteria

Domain Eukarya contains the kingdoms Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. 

Contrast Analogous, Vestigial and Homologous structures and also provide examples.

Analogous Structures are structures superficially similar in construction, but are not inherited from a common ancestor.

Vestigial Structures are reduced forms of functional structures.

Homologous Structures are anatomically similar structures inherited from a common ancestor.

Describe Fitness and Natural Selection.

Fitness is a measure of the relative contribution an individual trait makes to the next generation.

Natural Selection is based on the idea that variations that increase reproductive success will have a greater chance of being passed on

Why are fossils important and where they are found?

Fossils allow us to compare current traits to traits that were found in organisms that are no longer around.

Protists are classified by how they gain nutrients

- plant-like 

- animal-like 

- fungus-like

Kingdom Fungi

• A fungus is an eukaryote that absorbs 

  nutrients from organic 

  materials in its 

  environment.

Kingdom Plantae

• Most plants are autotrophic eukaryotes

Kingdom Animalia

• All animals are heterotrophic eukaryotes.

What are the six kingdoms?

• The six kingdoms are Bacteria, Archaea, Protists, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Binomial Nomenclature - 2 Name System 

• The first part is the genus name, and the second part is the species.