Evolution and Classification Terminology

Evolution

• Definition: The process through which species change over time through mechanisms like natural selection.

Classification

• Concept: Organizing living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.
• Key Levels:
  • Domain
  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species

Species

• Definition: A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Trait

• Definition: A characteristic or feature of an organism that can be inherited or acquired.
• Morphological Traits: Physical features, such as size, shape, and structure.

Morphology

• Definition: The study of the form and structure of organisms, including their physical features.

Phylogeny and Phylogenetic Tree

• Phylogeny: The evolutionary history of a species or group of species.
• Phylogenetic Tree: A diagram representing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

Characteristics

• Definition: Features or attributes of organisms that can help in classification.
• Advantageous Trait: A trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction.

Natural Selection

• Definition: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
• Key Mechanisms: Variation, competition, and fitness are critical components.

Artificial Selection

• Definition: The intentional breeding of organisms by humans for desired traits.
• Population Impact: Can lead to changes in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

Fitness

• Definition: An organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
• Variation: Differences among individuals in a population that can affect fitness.

Adaptation

• Definition: A trait that has evolved through natural selection, enhancing an organism's ability to thrive in its habitat.

Competition

• Definition: The struggle between organisms for limited resources such as food, space, or mates.

Speciation

• Definition: The formation of new and distinct species during the course of evolution.

Structures in Evolution

• Homologous Structures: Body parts that share a common ancestry but may serve different functions (e.g., forelimbs of mammals).
• Analogous Structures: Body parts that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry (e.g., wings of birds and insects).
• Vestigial Structures: Organs or parts that have lost their original function through evolution (e.g., human appendix).

Niche

• Definition: The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resources, and interactions with other organisms.

Gene Pool

• Definition: The total collection of genes and their alleles present in a population, which can affect the population's genetic diversity and adaptability.