Change Through Time: Evolution

These flashcards cover the key concepts from the lecture on evolution, including definitions, important figures, and mechanisms of evolution.

What are the general properties of living systems?

Chemical uniqueness, Complexity and hierarchical organisation, Reproduction, Possession of genetic program, Metabolism, Development, Environmental interaction, Movement, Change over time.

Who is known for the theory of evolution through natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

What distinguishes microevolution from macroevolution?

Microevolution involves small-scale changes within a lineage, while macroevolution refers to the origin and extinction of lineages and large-scale changes.

What is the biological species concept?

Species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding individuals that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.

What does natural selection involve?

Variation in characteristics, overproduction of offspring, competition, and survival of the fittest.

What are the five major ideas of Darwinism?

Perpetual change, Common descent, Multiplication of species, Gradualism, Natural selection.

What is an adaptation?

A phenotypic feature that contributes to an individual's survival and reproduction.

What is adaptive radiation?

The process through which a single lineage evolves into several different forms to adapt to varied environments.

What is convergent evolution?

Unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

What are some mechanisms of evolution aside from natural selection?

Random genetic drift, mutations, gene flow (migration), non-random selection, and sexual selection.