Bio. II Lecture Exam 1

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

Gradual genetic change in species over generations, driving biodiversity and adaptation.

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

A group of interbreeding organisms of the same species in one area.

Question 3

Gene pool

Answer 3

Collective set of genes in a population, influencing genetic diversity.

Question 3

Genotypic frequencies

Answer 3

Quantifies how common a specific genotype is in a sample population.

Question 4

Allele frequencies

Answer 4

Relative occurrence of specific alleles in a population’s gene pool.

Question 5

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Answer 5

allele frequencies in a population will not change from generation to generation. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN, BECAUSE EVERYTHING EVOLVES

Question 6

Natural selection

Answer 6

Process where favorable traits enhance an organism’s survival and reproduction.

Question 7

Adaptation

Answer 7

Evolutionary process where traits improve an organism’s fitness in an environment.

Question 8

Artificial selection

Answer 8

Controlled breeding to promote specific traits in domesticated organisms.

Question 9

Natural selection

Answer 9

Mechanism of evolution where advantageous traits increase in a population.

Question 10

Mutation

Answer 10

Permanent alteration in DNA sequence, source of genetic diversity.

Question 11

Gene flow

Answer 11

Exchange of genetic material between interbreeding populations, influencing diversity.

Question 12

Dispersal agents

Answer 12

Organisms or forces aiding in seed or spore distribution.

Question 13

Genetic drift

Answer 13

the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance.

Question 14

Population bottlenecks

Answer 14

Drastic reduction in population size, reducing genetic diversity.

Question 15

Founder effect

Answer 15

Genetic variation in new population from a small founding group.

Question 16

Nonrandom mating

Answer 16

Mating preferences that affect genotype frequencies within a population.

Question 17

Bottleneck effect

Answer 17

Sharp reduction in a population’s size, often due to catastrophe.

Question 18

Fossil Record

Answer 18

Compilation of all known fossils, showing life’s history.

Question 19

habitats

Answer 19

Specific environments where organisms live and interact with their surroundings.

Question 20

Radiometric

Answer 20

Dating method using decay of radioactive isotopes to determine age.

Question 21

Plate tectonics

Answer 21

Theory explaining Earth’s crust movement through plates interactions.

Question 22

mantle

Answer 22

Earth’s layer beneath the crust, composed of solid, hot rock.

Question 23

Continental drift

Answer 23

Hypothesis proposing continents moved over geologic time due to plate tectonics.

Question 24

Pangaea

Answer 24

Supercontinent that existed about 335 million years ago, later broke apart.

Question 25

Geological change

Answer 25

Alterations in Earth's structure or features over geological time.

Question 26

Biogeography

Answer 26

Study of organisms' distribution patterns in relation to geographical areas.

Question 27

Convergent evolution

Answer 27

Unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environments.

Question 28

analogous structures

Answer 28

Different structures in organisms with similar functions, evolved independently.

Question 29

analogous structures

Answer 29

Different structures in organisms with similar functions, evolved independently.

Question 30

Homology

Answer 30

Similarity in structure or function due to shared evolutionary ancestry.

Question 31

analogy

Answer 31

Similarity in function or structure due to convergent evolution, not ancestry.

Question 32

Vestigial Structures

Answer 32

Organs or features with reduced or no function in present-day organisms.

Question 33

Embryonic development

Answer 33

Process from fertilization to birth, forming an organism's body.

Question 34

Fetal development

Answer 34

Growth and maturation of a developing organism during gestation.

Question 35

Molecular clock

Answer 35

Estimate of evolutionary time using genetic sequence differences.

Question 36

Reproductive isolation

Answer 36

Mechanisms preventing interbreeding between different species, maintaining species boundaries.

Question 37

Prezygotic

Answer 37

Reproductive barriers preventing formation of hybrid zygotes pre-fertilization.

Question 38

Postzygotic

Answer 38

Isolation occurs after the zygote is formed

Question 39

Allopatric speciation

Answer 39

Formation of new species due to geographic isolation of populations.

Question 40

Sympatric speciation

Answer 40

Formation of new species in the same geographic area.

Question 41

Extinction

Answer 41

Complete disappearance of a species from the Earth's surface.

Question 42

K-T

Answer 42

Geological boundary marking the mass extinction of dinosaurs and more. 65 Million years ago

Question 43

Adaptive radiation

Answer 43

Diversification of species into various ecological niches from a common ancestor.

Question 44

Cladistics

Answer 44

Biological classification based on shared ancestry, emphasizing evolutionary relationships.

Question 45

Taxonomic hierarchy

Answer 45

Systematic classification of organisms into ranks or categories.

Question 46

Geographical barrier

Answer 46

Physical obstacles or features (e.g., mountains, rivers) that impede gene flow between populations, leading to speciation.

Question 47

Laurasia

Answer 47

Ancient supercontinent in the Northern Hemisphere, part of Pangaea's breakup.

Question 48

Gondwana

Answer 48

Ancient supercontinent in the Southern Hemisphere, part of Pangaea's breakup.

Question 49

Soft-bodied organisms

Answer 49

Organisms lacking hard external structures like shells or skeletons. They don't turn into fossils.

Question 50

Hardy-Weinberg Principle (Full)

Answer 50

Hardy-Weinberg Principle states genetic equilibrium is only possible if all of the following conditions are met: No mutations are occurring The population is closed to migration from other populations The population is infinitely large All genotypes survive and reproduce equally well Individuals in the population mate randomly