Studied by 6 peopleCarolus Linnaeus
Considered the Father of Taxonomy, he introduced binomial nomenclature and classified organisms into kingdoms based on evolutionary relationships.
Binomial Nomenclature
Naming system where each organism is assigned a two-part Latin name consisting of genus and species, with the genus name capitalized.
Theory of Uniformitarianism
Proposed by Charles Lyell, it suggests that present geologic processes are similar to those in the past, supporting the idea of an ancient Earth.
Lamarckian Evolution
Proposed by Jean Baptiste Lamarck, it suggests that acquired traits can be inherited, leading to evolutionary change.
Natural Selection
Proposed by Darwin and Wallace, it is the process where organisms best adapted to their environment survive and pass on their genes, leading to evolution.
Artificial Selection
Humans selectively breed organisms for desired traits, influencing genetic variation in populations.
Stabilizing Selection
Type of natural selection where individuals with extreme traits are selected against, maintaining the status quo.
Directional Selection
Type of natural selection where individuals at one extreme of a trait are favored, leading to a shift in allele frequencies.
Disruptive Selection
Type of natural selection where individuals at both extremes of a trait are favored, leading to the elimination of intermediate forms.
Population Genetics
Study of trait variation rates within a population over time, focusing on allele frequencies in a gene pool.
Evolution Conditions
Evolution occurs when conditions like mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, natural selection, and sexual selection are present.
Mutation
Random changes in DNA that lead to the formation of new alleles and increased genetic variation within a population.
Gene Flow
Movement of alleles between populations due to migration, influencing evolution.
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
A principle stating that genetic variation in a population remains constant over generations in the absence of disturbing factors.
Genetic Drift
Random fluctuations in gene frequency in small populations due to chance rather than natural selection.
Founder Effect
Reduced genetic variation in a new colony due to a small number of original population members.
Bottleneck Effect
Genetic drift from a population reduction, leading to decreased genetic variation.
Coevolution
Species evolving together due to selective pressures from close interactions, like predator-prey relationships.
Divergent Evolution
Adaptation to new habitats resulting in phenotypic diversification from a common ancestor.
Convergent Evolution
Unrelated species independently evolving similar traits due to similar selective pressures.
Biological Species Concept
Defines a species as genetically similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
Allopatric Speciation
Speciation due to geographical barriers separating populations.
Sympatric Speciation
Speciation within the same geographic area, often in plants due to polyploidy or hybridization.
Polyploidy
A genetic condition where an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes. It can lead to increased genetic diversity and potential evolutionary advantages.
Hybridization
The process of breeding between two different species or varieties, resulting in offspring with a mix of genetic traits from each parent.
Parapatric Speciation
Speciation due to extreme habitat changes rather than geographical barriers.
Adaptive Radiation
Rapid diversification of organisms into new forms due to environmental changes, leads to speciation. Think of open spots in an environment being filled.
Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms
Behaviors and processes preventing interbreeding between species to maintain genetic integrity.
Evidence for Evolution
Scientific evidence from various disciplines supporting the theory of evolution, including molecular, morphological, and genetic evidence.
Phylogeny
Evolutionary history of a species based mainly on DNA evidence.
Homologous Features
Structures in different species with similar traits due to common ancestry. DNA
Analogous Features
Similar traits in species due to convergent evolution rather than common ancestry.
Comparative Embryology
Study of similarities and differences in embryonic development among organisms, indicating relatedness based on developmental patterns.
Comparative Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Comparison of DNA, RNA, amino acid sequences, and metabolic pathways to infer shared ancestry among organisms.
Artificial Selection
Evolution through selective breeding (mainly through humans), exemplified by dog breeds and crop plants, showing faster changes than natural evolution.
Direct Observation of Microevolution
Witnessing evolution in real-time, like antibiotic resistance development, showcasing rapid evolutionary processes.
Microevolution
The change in allele frequencies within a population over a short period of time. It can result from natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, or mutation.
Biogeography
Geographic distribution of organisms supporting evolutionary patterns, influenced by tectonic plate movements and historical events like Pangaea's breakup.
Types of Evolution
Gradualism involves slow changes over time, while punctuated equilibrium shows rapid evolution after stable periods.
Gradualism
A theory in biology that suggests evolution occurs slowly and steadily over time through small, incremental changes in populations.
Punctuated Equilibrium
Evolutionary theory proposes long periods of stability interrupted by sudden, brief periods of significant change in species.
Phylogenetic Relationships
Understanding evolutionary history through DNA/RNA sequences, amino acids, and shared traits to construct phylogenetic trees.
Phylogenetic Tree
Diagram illustrating evolutionary relationships among organisms, with branch lengths representing evolutionary distances.
Cladogram
Diagram illustrating evolutionary relationships without time indication, focusing on divergence from common ancestors.
Clades
Groups of organisms that share a common ancestor. They are classified based on evolutionary relationships and characteristics.
Origins of Life on Earth
Earth's formation, the emergence of life around 3.9 billion years ago, and models like the Oparin/Haldane Hypothesis explaining life's origin in a primordial sea.
RNA World Hypothesis
Proposes that RNA could have been the earliest form of genetic material, capable of self-replication and catalyzing reactions without enzymes.
Miller/Urey Experiment
Conducted in 1953, demonstrated the creation of organic amino acids and oils from inorganic substances thought to be present in Earth's early atmosphere, supporting the Oparin/Haldane hypothesis.
Mass Extinctions
Geological evidence shows at least 5 mass extinctions in Earth's history, with events like the Permian-Triassic extinction wiping out 95% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species.
Causes of Extinction
Extinction events can be caused by factors like massive volcanic activity, rapid climate change, asteroid impacts, anoxic events, changing sea levels, and human impacts.
Genetic Diversity and Adaptation
Populations with high genetic diversity are more resilient to environmental changes, as seen in the Irish potato famine and bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Antibiotic Resistance
Genetic variability within bacterial populations allows for the evolution of resistance mechanisms like enzyme production, target modification, and efflux pumps, leading to antibiotic resistance.
Population Bottleneck
Events like the cheetah population bottleneck can lead to reduced genetic diversity, causing issues like poor sperm quality, susceptibility to diseases, and physical abnormalities in the population.
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