Introduction to Evolution (BIOL 412)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, scientists, and evidence related to the theory of evolution from the lecture notes.

Dr. Anna O'Brien

UNH professor in MCBS whose research focuses on plant interactions with their microbiomes in the context of global change stressors.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve

An example of a non-advantageous trait due to its circuitous path.

Lamarck's Proposal

An early evolutionary theory based on the Principle of use and disuse and the Inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Principle of use and disuse (Lamarck)

The idea that body parts used extensively become larger and stronger, while those not used deteriorate.

Inheritance of acquired characteristics (Lamarck)

The idea that modifications acquired by an organism during its lifetime can be passed on to its offspring.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist on the HMS Beagle who collected organisms, examined fossils, and studied geology, leading to the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Galapagos Islands

An archipelago where Darwin observed diverse finch species adapted to different 'ends,' contributing to his concept of descent with modification.

Descent with modification

Darwin's hypothesis that species could change over time, stemming from ancestral forms.

Artificial selection

The process by which humans selectively breed organisms for desired traits, leading to significant changes in a species over a relatively short period.

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

An animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, essentially a faster form of artificial selection.

CRISPR technology

A genetic engineering tool that allows scientists to precisely cut or insert genes in order to modify their function, or stop them from working.

Gene drive technology

A genetic engineering technique that allows humans to change the genetic makeup of an entire species by introducing modifications into a few individuals that then spread throughout the population.

Thomas Malthus

Author of 'An Essay on the Principle of Population,' arguing that human population growth would outstrip food supply, influencing Darwin's ideas on the struggle for existence.

Struggle for existence

The competition for limited resources which results in logistic growth, meaning not all organisms can survive or reproduce, a concept derived by Darwin from Malthus.

Natural selection

Darwin's great insight: The process by which heritable traits that enhance an individual's survival or reproduction (or both) increase in frequency in a population over generations, provided selective pressures remain unchanged.

Alfred Russel Wallace

A naturalist who independently developed the theory of evolution by natural selection, prompting Darwin to publish his own work.

Al-Jahiz

An earlier scholar (776-869) who discussed animals' struggle for existence, resource competition, and how environmental factors influence the development of new characteristics for survival, leading to new species.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive to reproductive age, find a mate, and produce offspring (measured as absolute or relative).

Absolute fitness

The number of offspring that survive and then reproduce.

Relative fitness

The number of offspring produced by an individual compared to other phenotypes in the population.

Adaptation

A trait that increases an organism's fitness in a specific environment.

Conditions for natural selection

Three necessary conditions are variability in traits, heritability of traits, and selection for advantageous traits.

Direct observations (of evolution)

Evidence of evolution seen in real-time, such as the E.coli Long-term Evolution Experiment.

Homology

Evidence of evolution demonstrated by similar anatomical structures (e.g., humerus, radius, ulna) found in different species, reflecting common ancestry, despite serving different functions.

Fossil record

Evidence of evolution provided by preserved remains of past life, showing changes in organisms over geological time, such as the evolution of the horse.

Rosemary and Peter Grant

Scientists who conducted extensive long-term research on Darwin's finches in the Galapagos, providing direct evidence of evolution by natural selection.