Evo1 Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is an adaptation?
A characteristic or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce.
What are the three types of adaptations?
Physical (appearance), physiological (body chemistry/metabolism), behavioural (actions).
How do adaptations help organisms?
They help with obtaining food, avoiding predators, and increasing reproductive success.
What is biological fitness?
The ability to survive long enough to reproduce and pass on genetic material.
How do adaptations arise?
From variation within a population due to mutation or sexual reproduction.
What are two sources of variation?
Genetic mutation and sexual reproduction.
Are mutations random?
Yes. Some are beneficial, some harmful, some neutral.
What is natural selection?
A process where individuals with traits better suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Give an example of natural selection.
Peppered moths: dark-colored moths became more common after the industrial revolution due to environmental changes.
Does evolution give organisms what they “need”?
No — mutation is random, and selection acts on existing variation.
