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What is the key idea behind Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection?
The traits that allow for better reproductive success will be passed on to future generations, leading to adaptation.
Who proposed an early evolutionary hypothesis of 'use it or lose it'?
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
What does 'Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium' require to maintain gene frequencies?
No mutation, no gene flow, random mating, large population size, and no natural selection.
What is meant by 'biogeography'?
The study of the distribution of species across different geographic areas.
What major geological force did Charles Lyell advocate was still at work?
Gradual geological processes shaping the Earth.
Which component of Darwin's theory indicates that individuals within a population show genetic variation?
Heritable variation.
What is a significant consequence of speciation?
The formation of new species via reproductive isolation methods.
Which phenomenon leads to the reduction of genetic diversity due to a drastic population decline?
Bottleneck effect.
What is 'adaptive radiation'?
The diversification of a group of organisms into different forms to adapt to various environments.
How does the 'Founder Effect' differ from typical genetic drift?
It occurs when a small group establishes a new population, leading to limited genetic diversity.
What are homologous structures?
Structures that share a common ancestry but may serve different functions.
What term describes the process where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environments?
Convergent evolution.
What does the biological species concept (BSC) define a species by?
The ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Which early evolutionary thinker emphasized population growth outpacing resource availability?
Thomas Malthus.
What are the two types of postzygotic isolation mechanisms?
Hybrid sterility and zygote mortality.
What type of selection favors extreme phenotypes at both ends, eliminating intermediates?
Disruptive selection.
What does the term 'fitness' refer to in the context of natural selection?
The reproductive success of an individual, often measured by the number of surviving offspring.
How does non-random mating influence gene frequencies in a population?
It can increase the number of homozygous individuals and decrease genetic diversity.
What features are included in the concept of 'fitness'?
Survival, lifespan, and ability to attract mates.
What does the 'Great Dying' refer to in evolutionary history?
A mass extinction event at the end of the Paleozoic era, where 83% of all species went extinct.
What phenomenon can preserve variation in a population through different advantages in a heterozygote?
Heterozygote advantage.
Which term refers to the gradual changes anticipated by Darwin's theory of evolution?
Gradualism.
Which evolutionary theory involves long periods of stability punctuated by sudden dramatic changes?
Punctuated equilibrium.
What significant conclusion can be drawn from studying DNA and proteins in relation to evolution?
They can reveal evolutionary relationships between different species.
Which process leads to the quick establishment of new species in plants through sudden changes in chromosome numbers?
Polyploidy.
What is the relationship between mutations and genetic variation?
Mutations are the source of all genetic variation in populations.
Natural selection occurs when certain traits provide ____ in reproductive success.
advantage
The concept of ____ evolution explains how species adapt to their environments over time.
adaptive
A population bottleneck can result in a loss of ____ diversity.
genetic
The ability of a species to interbreed and produce fertile offspring is referred to as the ____ species concept.
biological
The phenomenon where species from different evolutionary backgrounds develop similar traits is called ____ evolution.
convergent
The successful reproduction of individuals that are best suited for their environment is known as ____ selection.
natural
The theory that describes the gradual changes in species over time is known as ____.
gradualism
The ____ effect occurs when a small group colonizes a new area, leading to reduced genetic variability.
founder
Speciation through reproductive isolation often results in the formation of ____ species.
new
The ____ advantage describes the increased fitness of heterozygous individuals in a population.
heterozygote
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