Chapter 2: Evolution Flashcards
Mutation
1 of 4 causes of evolution.
A random change in a gene or chromosome that results in a new trait that may be advantageous
Evolutionary Synthesis
Unified theory of evolution that combines genetics with natural selection
Lamarkism
Name for Lamark’s theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics
5 disciplines from which evolution draws
Geology Paleontology Taxonomy Systematics Demography (now called biological evolution)
Species
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
Allele
One or more alternative forms of a gene
Genetic Drift
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.
Systematics
Based on taxonomy; study of biological relationships over time
Blending Inheritance
The (false) idea that an offspring’s phenotype was a uniform blend of its parents’ phenotypes
Genus
Group of related species
In taxonomy, it’s like the organisms last name (even though it comes first), like the HOMO in homo sapien
Adaptive Radiation
Diversification of an ancestral group of organisms into new forms that are adapted to specific environmental niches.
Demography
Study of populations, especially with regard to birth, survival, and death and the major factors that influence them.
Founded by Malthus
Dominant
An allele that is expressed in a phenotype AND that masks other alleles (if another one is present)
Chromosomes
strand of DNA found in the nucleus of eukaryotes that contains hundreds or thousands of genes
Endemic
Describes characteristics or features that are natural to a given population or environment
Georges Cuvier
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
Descent with Modification
Original name for theory of evolution
Charles Lyell
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
Taxonomy
Systematic classification of past and living life forms
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Double stranded molecule that provides genetic code for an organism
Evolutionary Biology
The study of organisms and their changes
Paleontology
Study of fossils
Carolus Linnaeus
“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.
Habitat
The specific area of the natural environment in which an organism lives
