Ecology Terms Flashcards
(29 cards)
Evolution (A4.1.1)
Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of a population
Darwinism (D4.1)
Evolution by natural selection
Heritable Characteristics (A4.1.1)
Traits that are inherited by offspring from parents
Cladograms (A4.1.2)
Diagram that are based on sequence differences usually match closely with classifications based on morphology and the likely sequence of splits between lineages
Selective breeding (A4.1.3)
Breeding by humans, of animals or crops, to produce products that provide a purpose
Artificial Selection (A4.1.3)
Domesticated animals and crops have changed in ways that are acheived simply by repeatedly selecting and breeding the individuals most suited to human uses. Can cause rapid evolution
Homologous Structures (A4.1.4)
Features with similar anatomical position and structure despite differences in function
The Pentadactyl Limb (A4.1.4)
Limbs with five digits
- Single bone in proximal part
- Two bones in the distal part
- Group of wrist or ankle bones
- Series of bones in each of the five digits
Analogous Structures (A4.1.5)
Structures that appear similar but the similarities are superficial and the structures are very different
- tail of fish and tail fins of wales
Convergent Evolution (A4.1.5)
Explaination of analogous structures.
Structures with different origins that because similar because of performing the same structure
Cladistics (A4.1.5)
Method used to deduce the origins of organisms and their structures
Speciation (A4.1.6)
A species evolving to the point of seperating into seperate species
- Due to lack of interbreeding between populations
Reproductive Isolation (A4.1.7)
Stopping of interbreeding leading to seperate species. Seperation must occur stopping the gene pools of the two populations from mixing. This is acheived by reproductive isolation
Differential or divergent selection (A4.1.7)
Natural selection causing the traits of a population to change. Differential selection causes the traits of a population to become more and more different. When this difference is judged to be different enough, they are classified as different species
Allopatric Speciation (A4.1.8)
Populations in different geographical areas become seperate species
Sympatric speciation (A4.1.8)
Species in the same geographical areas split into two populations that dont interbreed
Adaptions (A4.1.9)
Characteristics that make an individual suited to its environment or way of life
Adaptive Radiation (A4.1.9)
Speciation and adaption to new niches have happened repeatedly in some groups
Defined as a pattern of diversification in which a species that have evolved from a common ancestor occupy a range of ecological roles
Interspecific hybrids (A4.1.10)
Produced by cross-breeding members of different species
Hybrids (A4.1.10)
The hybrids combine traits of the species that were crossed
Polyploid organism (A4.1.11)
Two sets of homologous chromosomes
Polyploidy (A4.1.11)
A consequence of the duplication of chromosomes in a cell without a subsequent cell division, so it is whole-genome duplication
Genome Sequencing (A4.1.11)
Studies show that it has happened many times in evolution
Tetraploid (A4.1.11)
If whole genome duplication happens in a diploid cell, the result is four sets
of homologous chromosomes
