bio102

Organisms can be organized based on __________ according to Plato and Aristotle.

Complexity.

Evolution can occur as a result of environmental influence or the struggle for __________, according to Georges-Louis Leclerc.

Existence.

Who is considered the father of modern taxonomy?

Carolus Linnaeus.

The first testable hypothesis of evolution was developed by whom?

Jean Baptiste Lamarck.

What does catastrophism explain?

The series of catastrophic events causes new species to move into an area.

What era includes the very first cells?

Precambrian Era.

What major change characterized the Paleozoic Era?

Plants and animals from aquatic life began to inhabit the land.

Which era is known for the evolution of seeded plants?

Mesozoic Era.

What is the significance of homologous structures?

They are similar physical features that share a common ancestor but serve different functions.

What were the key results of the Miller-Urey experiment?

They produced some of the key molecules to life, such as amino acids and nucleotides.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution states that all species arise through __________.

Natural selection.

What is biological fitness?

A measure of the ability to survive and reproduce relative to other members of the population.

What are Darwin's four main principles of evolution?

1. Variations that can be passed from one generation to the next 2. Compete for available resources 3. Individuals differ in terms of reproductive success 4. Adapt to changes as environment changes.

What is genetic drift?

A change in the allele frequency of a population as a result of chance events rather than natural selection.

Define stabilizing selection.

A form of natural selection where individuals near the center of a distribution curve have higher fitness.

What is the result of sexual selection?

Individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely to obtain mates.

What is monophyletic?

A branch that contains all the descendants of a common ancestor.

What is allopatric speciation?

Speciation that occurs due to a geographic barrier.

Define gene flow.

Exchange of genes between populations.

What does the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium state?

That allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences.

According to Plato and Aristotle, organisms can vary in ______________.

Complexity, leading to a classification system based on this hierarchy where every species embodies a perfect essential form.

Who chronicled all known species of plants and animals during the 18th century?

Georges-Louis Leclerc, who proposed that evolution may occur due to environmental factors or the struggle for existence.

What conceptual framework did Carolus Linnaeus develop regarding species?

He believed in an ideal form for species, organized them in a 'ladder of life' (scala naturae), and created the binomial system of nomenclature, making him the father of modern taxonomy.

What contributions did Erasmus Darwin make to evolutionary thought?

He lightly hypothesized about evolution based on observations, such as animal development, breeding practices, and the existence of vestigial organs.

Who is known as the founder of paleontology and what was his significant contribution?

Baron Georges Cuvier, who utilized stratigraphy to date fossils and explained changes in fossil layers through catastrophism.

What was Jean Baptiste Lamarck's view on evolution?

He developed the first testable hypothesis of evolution, asserting that it results from the inheritance of acquired characteristics influenced by environmental factors.

What did James Hutton propose regarding geological change?

He proposed a theory of slow, uniform geological change over time.

What principle did Charles Lyell advocate?

He supported uniformitarianism, suggesting that the natural processes we observe now have operated in the same manner throughout Earth’s history.

What was Thomas Malthus's contribution to understanding population dynamics?

He wrote the 'Essay on the Principle of Population,' presenting the idea that human population growth is limited by resource availability.

What does catastrophism explain?

It describes how a series of catastrophic events can lead to the introduction of new species into an area.

What significant characteristics define the Precambrian Era?

It includes the emergence of the first cells, comprising 87% of the geological timescale, featuring photosynthetic prokaryotes, the rise of eukaryotic cells, and the beginnings of multicellularity.

Describe the key attributes of the Paleozoic Era.

The second era, lasting approximately 300 million years, marked by three major mass extinctions, complex animals with exoskeletons, and the transition of aquatic life to land.

What notable developments occurred during the Mesozoic Era?

The Mesozoic Era, which included the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, is known for the evolution of seeded plants and the reign of dinosaurs, culminating in a mass extinction.

What defines the Cenozoic Era?

The fourth era, characterized by the diversification and evolution of mammals, the rise of primates, and the presence of megafauna.

What are homologous structures?

Anatomical features that share a common ancestor but serve different functions, providing evidence of evolutionary relationships.

What are analogous structures?

Structures that perform similar functions but evolved independently, indicating no common ancestry.

What was the Miller-Urey experiment aimed at demonstrating?

It sought to recreate the conditions of Earth's primitive oceans to synthesize key organic molecules, such as amino acids and nucleotides, suggesting pathways for the origin of life.

State Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

It posits that all species arise and develop through natural selection of small, inherited variations that enhance individuals’ abilities to survive, compete, and reproduce.

What does biological fitness refer to?

It measures an organism's capability to survive and reproduce relative to others in the population.

Summarize Darwin’s four main principles of evolution.

1. Heritable variations exist. 2. Organisms compete for resources. 3. There is variation in reproductive success. 4. Adaptation occurs over time due to environmental changes.

What type of evidence does anatomy provide for evolution?

Evidence based on homologous structures that indicate shared ancestry despite differing functions.

Define vestigial structures.

Remnants of organs or structures that had functional roles in early ancestors but currently serve no purpose.

What type of biochemical evidence supports evolution?

Evidence shows that all living beings share DNA and proteins composed of the same basic elements but with varying sequences.

What does embryological evidence suggest about evolution?

It reveals that similar embryos of different organisms can develop into distinct adult forms, indicating common ancestry.

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

They can demonstrate transitional forms and evolutionary changes, such as the presence of hip bones in modern whales.

How does geography play a role in evolution?

Isolated populations exhibit distinct variations, with island species resembling their nearest mainland relatives.

What was the pre-Darwin viewpoint on nature?

Nature was perceived as fixed and unchanging, with no concept of evolution.

What is artificial selection?

A human-directed process involving the selective breeding of plants and animals to promote desired traits in offspring.

Define natural selection.

A process where individuals with advantageous inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to changes in population over time.

What is genetic drift?

Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events, rather than selection, which may not result in adaptive evolution.

Explain the bottleneck effect.

A drastic reduction in population size due to a random event, limiting genetic diversity in subsequent generations.

What is the founder effect?

Alteration in allele frequencies that occurs when a small subgroup of a population establishes a new population.

Describe non-random mating.

A mating pattern where individuals preferentially choose partners with similar phenotypes or those in proximity.

What is meant by natural selection?

It's the consistent process through which random changes in traits become prevalent in a population based on their survival advantages.

What is directional selection?

A form of natural selection that favors individuals at one extreme of a trait spectrum, causing the entire distribution curve to shift.

Explain stabilizing selection.

A type of natural selection that favors average phenotypes and reduces extremes, resulting in increased survival of moderate trait expressions.

What does disruptive selection entail?

A form of natural selection that favors individuals with traits at both extremes of a phenotype range.

Define sexual selection.

A subtype of natural selection focused on traits that increase an organism's chances of attracting mates, often leading to sexual dimorphism.

What is heterozygous advantage?

A scenario where having a heterozygous genotype provides a survival benefit against certain diseases.

Give an example of heterozygous advantage.

In African American populations, individuals with one allele for sickle cell disease are immune to malaria, preserving their genes.

Define species in biological terms.

A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and exchanging genes.

What are diagnostic traits?

Distinct physical characteristics used to define and identify organisms within a species.

What is a monophyletic group?

A taxonomic category consisting of a single ancestor and all its descendants.

What does speciation refer to?

The process by which one species splits into two or more distinct species over time.

What is allopatric speciation?

A form of speciation that occurs due to physical geographic barriers preventing populations from interbreeding.

Describe sympatric speciation.

Speciation that occurs without geographical isolation, typically through mechanisms like polyploidy or behavioral changes.

What is divergent evolution?

A process where a single ancestral species evolves into diverse new forms to adapt to different environments.

What is convergent evolution?

The development of similar traits in unrelated species due to adaptation to similar environmental challenges.

Define Hox genes.

A group of genes responsible for guiding the body plan development and differentiation of cells in embryonic stages.

What does the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium state?

It states that in a non-evolving population, allele and genotype frequencies will remain constant from generation to generation.

What is gene flow?

The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can influence genetic diversity.

What are genetic mutations?

Alterations in DNA sequences that can be inherited and occasionally contribute positively to survival.