Notes on exam 1 flashcards

What is the scientific study of animal life called?

Zoology

What differentiates eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.

What type of organisms get their energy from light?

Phototrophs

What is the purpose of the Scientific Method?

To guide scientific inquiry through observations, hypothesis formation, predictions, and tests.

What does a hypothesis need to be for it to potentially become a theory?

It must be consistently tested and supported by evidence.

What mechanism drives natural selection?

Organisms with favorable adaptations are more likely to survive and reproduce.

What does macroevolution refer to?

Large-scale evolutionary changes that can occur over long periods of time.

What is the process by which new species arise called?

Speciation

Who was the first to provide a scientific explanation for evolutionary changes?

Lamarck

What key concept did Darwin introduce in his theory of evolution?

Descent with modification.

What are homologous structures?

Characteristics inherited from a common ancestor.

What is the ultimate source of genetic variation?

Mutation.

In Linnaean taxonomy, what is the scientific name of an animal species composed of?

Two words: the genus (capitalized) and the species (lowercase).

What do phylogenetic trees represent?

Real lineages in evolutionary history.

What type of classification includes the most recent common ancestor and all its descendants?

Monophyletic.

What is the focus of cladistics in taxonomy?

To classify organisms based on common ancestry.

What do adaptations improve in organisms?

Their ability to survive and reproduce.

What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Microevolution refers to small-scale changes within a population, while macroevolution refers to larger evolutionary changes that lead to new species.