Phylogeny and Evolution Study Guide

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to phylogeny, evolution, and species classification.

Microevolution

Small evolutionary changes within a species over time.

Macroevolution

Large evolutionary changes that occur over long periods.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The organizational structure of living organisms: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Phylogenetic Trees

Diagrams that show the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA)

The most recent individual from which all the organisms in a group are directly descended.

Homologous traits

Traits that are similar due to shared ancestry.

Analogous traits

Traits that have similar functions but evolved independently.

Adaptive Radiation

Rapid diversification of a species into a variety of forms to fill different ecological niches.

Reproductive Isolation

Mechanisms that prevent species from interbreeding.

Prezygotic barriers

Obstacles that prevent mating or fertilization between species.

Postzygotic barriers

Obstacles that occur after fertilization and affect hybrid viability or fertility.

Allopatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated.

Sympatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs within the same geographical area.

Polyploidy

Condition in which an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes, often leading to reproductive isolation.

Endosymbiotic Theory

Theory that explains the evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells through symbiotic relationships.

Complex Multicellularity

Organisms composed of multiple cells that have specialized functions and coordinated activities.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotes with peptidoglycan cell walls.

Archaea

Single-celled prokaryotes with pseudopeptidoglycan cell walls, often extremophiles.

Eukarya

Domain of life that includes all eukaryotic organisms.