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.