Chapter 2: Evolution Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 2: Evolution Deck (33)
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1
Q

Mutation

A

1 of 4 causes of evolution.

A random change in a gene or chromosome that results in a new trait that may be advantageous

2
Q

Evolutionary Synthesis

A

Unified theory of evolution that combines genetics with natural selection

3
Q

Lamarkism

A

Name for Lamark’s theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics

4
Q

5 disciplines from which evolution draws

A
Geology
Paleontology
Taxonomy
Systematics
Demography (now called biological evolution)
5
Q

Species

A

A group of related organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile, viable offspring

In taxonomy, it’s like the organisms first name (even though it comes last), like the SAPIEN in homo sapien

6
Q

Allele

A

One or more alternative forms of a gene

7
Q

Genetic Drift

A

The random change in different forms of genes (alleles) frequency from one generation to the next, with greater effect in small populations

1 of 4 causes of evolution.

8
Q

Systematics

A

Based on taxonomy; study of biological relationships over time

9
Q

Blending Inheritance

A

The (false) idea that an offspring’s phenotype was a uniform blend of its parents’ phenotypes

10
Q

Genus

A

Group of related species

In taxonomy, it’s like the organisms last name (even though it comes first), like the HOMO in homo sapien

11
Q

Adaptive Radiation

A

Diversification of an ancestral group of organisms into new forms that are adapted to specific environmental niches.

12
Q

Demography

A

Study of populations, especially with regard to birth, survival, and death and the major factors that influence them.

Founded by Malthus

13
Q

Dominant

A

An allele that is expressed in a phenotype AND that masks other alleles (if another one is present)

14
Q

Chromosomes

A

strand of DNA found in the nucleus of eukaryotes that contains hundreds or thousands of genes

15
Q

Endemic

A

Describes characteristics or features that are natural to a given population or environment

16
Q

Georges Cuvier

A

Studied/proved the existence of extinction by studying dinosaur bones; one of the first to use fossil evidence

Contradicted catastrophisism and intelligent design in which organisms were so perfect that they’d have no reason to become extinct

17
Q

Descent with Modification

A

Original name for theory of evolution

18
Q

Charles Lyell

A

Established uniformitarianism

Figured out that the earth was older than people thought (by examining the supposed development and erosion of geological foundations at gradual, steady rates over time

19
Q

Taxonomy

A

Systematic classification of past and living life forms

20
Q

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A

Double stranded molecule that provides genetic code for an organism

21
Q

Evolutionary Biology

A

The study of organisms and their changes

22
Q

Paleontology

A

Study of fossils

23
Q

Carolus Linnaeus

A

“Father” of taxonomy

First to classify humans in the same group with animals (other primates). Also grouped us by race. Chode.

Considered how much variations organisms can have before they’re no longer part of the same species

Swedish; assigned Latin classifications for organisms because Latin was the language of educated people. Bougie.

24
Q

Habitat

A

The specific area of the natural environment in which an organism lives

25
Q

Geology

A

The study of the earth (especially its composition, activity, and history)

Uniformitarianism is a part of it

26
Q

Medelian Inheritance

A

Basic principles of systematic, predictable transmission of genetic material, forming the basis of genetics

Came from Gregor Mendel’s pea experiments

27
Q

Population Genetics

A

Specialty within the field of genetics which focuses on the changes in gene frequencies and the effects of those changes on adaptation and evolution

28
Q

4 causes of evolution

A
  1. Natural selection
  2. Mutation
  3. Gene flow
  4. Genetic drift
29
Q

Catastrophism

A

The false idea that cataclysmic events (not evolution) are responsible for geological changes throughout earth’s history

30
Q

Uniformitarianism

A

The idea/theory that natural processes operating today are the same as the natural processes that operated in the past

Developed by Charles Lyell

31
Q

Recessive

A

An allele that is only expressed in a phenotype if two copies of it are present, but is masked if the dominant alleles is present

32
Q

Gemmules

A

Units of inheritance supposedly accumulated in the gametes to they could be passed to offspring…Per Darwin

33
Q

Gene Flow

A

The exchange of alleles between two populations; the flow of genes in one gene pool into another gene pool

1 of 4 causes of evolution.