Pomarico 1202 Exam One Collaborative Set

Evolution

the transformation of lifeforms on earth over time.

Convergent evolution

the independent development of similarity between species as a result of having similar ecological roles and selection pressures.

comparative embryology

closely related organisms that go through similar stages in embryonic development.

Geological Gradualism

the predecessor of evolution; proposed that the large changes seen in the fossil records were the result of uniformitarianism.

Catastrophism

Cuvier's theory that layers of different species were caused by separate catastrophic events.

prokaryotes

the oldest forms of life on the planet.

analogous structures

similarity due to convergent evolution rather than to descent from a common ancestor with the same trait.

homologous structures

species which are related may have similar structure with different functions, they are similar because of common ancestry.

The Origin of the Species

the name of Darwin's book.

natural selection

the differential success in the reproduction of different phenotypes resulting from the interaction of organisms with their environments.

artificial selection

the selective breeding of domesticated plants and animals to encourage the occurrence of desirable traits.

Survival of the fittest

the idea that the organisms that adapt to their surroundings are more likely to survive.

speciation

how new species are created through evolution.

Fitness

based on how many and what kind of offspring you leave (more offspring, higher fitness).

p+q = 1

allele frequency equation.

p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1

genotype frequency equation.

Hardy Weinberg equilibrium

the 5 conditions are: 1) No mutations. 2) no gene flow. 3) Large population size. 4) random mating. 5) no natural selection.

inbreeding

when organisms breed with other organisms with similar phenotypes.

directional selection

shifts a population towards one extreme.

disruptive selection

shifts a population towards two extremes and away from the middle of the phenotypic range.

stabilizing selection

reduces phenotypic variation in a population.

effects of small populations

can result in 1) reduced genetic diversity and 2) increased inbreeding.

Bottleneck Effect

An effect that can result in small populations.

Founder Effect

An effect that can result in small populations.

Inbreeding

One kind of nonrandom mating.

Assortative Mating

One kind of nonrandom mating.

Intrasexual Selection

When one organism (usually a male) prevents other organisms within the species from breeding by being aggressive.

Intersexual Selection

When one organism (usually a female) mates based on phenotypic preference of the other sex.

Genetic Drift

The unpredictable fluctuation in allele frequency from one generation to the next because of the population's small size.

Geographic Isolation

Prevents populations from interbreeding but if the species are put together they may mate (live in different locations).

Ecological Isolation

Isolation because of where they choose to live (tree top vs forest floor).

Temporal Isolation

Breeding seasons occur at different times (example: different seasons).

Behavioral Isolation

Wrong type of mating dance.

Mechanical Incompatibility

Physiological barrier (parts do not fit).

Gametic Isolation

Sperm and eggs are chemically matched.

Morphological Species

Defines a species by measurable anatomical criteria.

Ecological Species

Defines a species in terms of ecological roles (niches).

Hybrid Viability

Offspring lack survival skills.

Hybrid Fertility

Sterile or has diminished fertility.

Polyploidy

An extra chromosome set(s) (common among plants).

Gradualism

The traditional view of evolution.

Punctuated Equilibrium

Refers to when speciation occurs during brief periods of rapid change, followed by a period of little change.

Allopolyploidy

Species with multiple sets of chromosomes derived from different species.

Autopolyploidy

Individual has more than 2 chromosome sets all derived from a single species.

Allopatric Speciation

Based on an existing population getting separated into 2 different geographic locations (gene pools must be geographically isolated).

Sympatric Speciation

A genetic change causes 2 subpopulations to not reproduce together (the populations share the same geographic area).

Endosymbiotic Hypothesis

Hypothesis about the origin of the eukaryotic cell, maintaining that the forerunners of eukaryotic cells were symbiotic associations of prokaryotic cells living inside larger prokaryotes.

Prebiotic Evolution

Change or evolution before life existed.

Radiometric Dating

Helps figure out the age of fossils based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Insulation in Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals

Solved the loss of heat problem with insulation; hair for mammals and feathers for birds.

Organic Molecules

Do not arise abiotically today.

Abiotic formation of organic molecules

The process by which organic molecules are formed without the influence of living organisms.

First animal to move onto land

Arthropods, which were preadapted with a method of support and protection (their exoskeleton).

Multicellularity

The condition of being composed of multiple cells, leading to specialization of some cells.

Endosymbiotic hypothesis

The theory that eukaryotic cells evolved from larger prokaryotic cells that engulfed smaller prokaryotic cells.

RNA as first genetic material

RNA is believed to be the first genetic material because it can catalyze reactions, store information, and perform self-replication.

Exoskeleton in water

Provided protection, finesse of movement, and good predation tactics.

Adaptation to land

Includes protection from drying out, dealing with full force of gravity, and greater temperature fluctuations.

Systematics

A scientific discipline focused on classifying organisms and determining their evolutionary relationships.

Taxonomy

The branch of biology that names and classifies the diverse forms of life.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species.

Taxonomic categories

Categories from most inclusive to least inclusive: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum/Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Whittaker's characteristics for kingdoms

Cell type, cell number, and nutritional method.

Original 5 kingdoms

Protista, Monera (bacteria), Animal, Plant, Fungi; split into 3 domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

Polyphyletic group

Includes species that are distantly related but does not include their most recent common ancestor.

Example of polyphyletic group

A group consisting of seals and cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) based on similar body forms.

Binomial nomenclature

A modern classification system developed in the 1700s that uses two names to indicate grouping.

Orthologous genes

Homologous genes found in different species due to speciation.

Paralogous genes

Homologous genes found in the same genome as a result of gene duplication.

Morphological species concept

Defines species based on morphology, anatomy, developmental stage, and cell structure.

Ecological species concept

Defines species based on behavior, lifecycle, and ecology.

Cladistics

An approach to systematics where organisms are grouped into clades based on common descent.

Cladograms

Diagrams that group organisms in clades based on shared characteristics and common ancestors.

Clades

Groups of species that include the ancestral species and all of its descendants.

Monophyletic group

A group that includes a single common ancestor and all its descendants.

Paraphyletic group

A group that excludes a lineage that should be included.

Outgroup

Organisms that lack the characteristics being studied.

Ingroup

Organisms that share characteristics being studied.

Maximum parsimony

The principle of looking for the simplest explanation that requires the least number of evolutionary events.

Maximum likelihood

A method that assesses the percentage of similarity among lineages to determine evolutionary relationships.

Mutation vs. speciation

Duplication within the same genome is mutation; duplication in separate genomes results in speciation.