Bio Evolution Unit Review

1

Embryological Evidence

Shows that organisms that have a closer genetic relationship to one another tend to look similar for a longer period of time during fetal development.

2

Gene Flow

The increase in variation via two interacting populations

3

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with variations most suited to their local environment survive and leave more offspring.

4

Geological Isolation

These populations do not mate because they cannot reach each other due to a natural barrier

5

Crossing Over

The increase in variation via chromosomal changes during meiosis

6

Anatomical Evidence

Shows how multiple organisms are related structurally and functionally, implying the evolved to become more similar or different depending on their environments.

7

Variation

Differences between the members of a population

8

Behavioral Isolation

When populations are unable to mate because they do not understand each other's actions.

9

Monogamy

One to One reproduction.

10

Mimicry

pretending to be something else that is more dangerous.

11

Species

A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

12

Genetic Drift

Variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a small population, owing to the chance disappearance of particular genes as individuals die or do not reproduce

13

Camouflage

Blending in with your background.

14

Reproduction

Creation of new, viable offspring

15

Evolution

The change in the characteristics of a species over several generations, relies on the process of natural selection.

16

Mechanical/Chemical Isolation

When populations do not reproduce because the differences in the makeups of the reproductive system may be too great to produce offspring

17

Founder Effect

A decrease in variation via small group of organisms wandering off from their population and beginning a new population (with a more limited gene pool

18

Fossil

the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.

19

Disruptive Selection

A shift in the allele frequency in a population that favors both extremes

20

Ecological Isolation

When a population splits and half go to one ecosystem while the other goes to another ecosystem. These new ecosystems present new and different challenges. The two populations adapt to their new environments and change in the process. Eventually they differ so much they can’t even mate anymore

21

Homologous Structures

Structures on organisms that share a similar makeup, but serve different functions

22

Adaptation

Any heritable characteristic that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment

23

Intrasexual Selection

Sexual competition within the same sex. Usually two males fight, whoever wins gets the female

24

DNA Evidence

Shows that organisms that are closely related will have much more similar DNA.

25

Polyandry

One female, multiple male partners

26

Vestigial Structures

Structures that were once important but are no longer functional. Implies we evolved to no longer use certain parts of us

27

Stabilizing Selection

A shift in the allele frequency in a population that favors neither extreme

28

Speciation

The formation of a new species

29

Fossil Evidence

Shows how a specific organism's body structure has changed over time, implying it has evolved.

30

Population Bottleneck

A decrease in variation via some sort of event severely limiting the populations survival, decreases the total amount and overall gene pool.

31

Finch Beaks

Darwin's original example of natural selection.

32

Fitness

An organism's ability to survive in its environment

33

Analogous Structures

Structures on different organisms that have very different makeup, but the same function

34

Temporal Isolation

These populations do not mate because of different timing expectations (mating seasons or time of day).

35

Mutations

The increase in genetic variation via small, random changes in the genetic code. Can have good or bad consequences

36

Heritability

The ability or a trait to be passed on genetically

37

Gene Pool

The collection of genes in a given population

38

Directional Selection

A shift in the allele frequency in a population that favors an extreme

39

Polygyny

One male, multiple female partners

40

Intersexual Selection

Sexual competition between sexes. Usually a male tries to impress a female until she chooses to mate with him

41

Trait

A characteristic that can be passed down to offspring