Chapter 7 Flashcards
Microevolution
A subfield of evolutionary studies that devotes attention to short-term evolutionary changes within a given species over relatively few generations of ecological time.
Neo-Darwinism
Neo Darwinism is a cohesive evolutionary theory that integrates Darwinian evolution and Mendelian genetics.
Populations
a group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given area
Gene Pool
All the Genes in the bodies of all members of a given species (or a population of a species)
Gene Frequency
The Frequency of occurrence of the variants of particular genes (i.e., of alleles) with the gene pool
Population Genetics
A field that uses statistical analysis to study short-term evolutionary change in large populations
Polymorphus
Describes the alleles that come in a range of different forms
Cline
The gradual intergradation of genetic variation
Intergradation
an evolutionary process by which different species of organisms tend to merge through a series of intermediate stages or grades.
Phenotypic Plasticity
Physiological flexibility that allows organisms to respond to environmental stresses, such as temperature changes
Adaptation
The mutual shaping of organisms and their environments
Acclimatization
A change in the way the body functions in response to physical stress
Albinism
An absence of pigmentation
