Evolution Gr 11

Question 1

What is adaptation?

Answer 1

Process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over time.

Question 2

Define natural selection.

Answer 2

Where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than those that are not.

Question 3

What is fitness in the context of evolution?

Answer 3

An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 4

What is artificial selection?

Answer 4

Process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits.

Question 5

What does selective advantage refer to?

Answer 5

A trait that gives an organism a better chance of surviving and reproducing in its environment.

Question 6

True or False: Selective pressure refers to challenges that make it easier for organisms to thrive.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

What are homologous structures?

Answer 7

Inherited body parts that look similar across different species because they come from a common ancestor.

Question 8

What are analogous structures?

Answer 8

Body parts in different species that have a similar function but evolved separately.

Question 9

Define vestigial structure.

Answer 9

Body part that has lost its original function through evolution.

Question 10

What is gene flow?

Answer 10

Transfer of genetic material between different populations of a species.

Question 11

What is non-random mating?

Answer 11

Occurs when individuals select mates based on specific traits.

Question 12

What is genetic drift?

Answer 12

Random change in the frequency of alleles in a small population over time.

Question 13

What is stabilizing selection?

Answer 13

A type of natural selection that favors average traits and reduces extremes.

Question 14

What is directional selection?

Answer 14

A type of natural selection that favors one extreme of a trait.

Question 15

What is disruptive selection?

Answer 15

A type of natural selection that favors extreme traits and can lead to two distinct forms.

Question 16

What is sexual selection?

Answer 16

A type of natural selection where traits that improve chances of attracting a mate are favored.

Question 17

Define microevolution.

Answer 17

Small-scale change in a population’s genetic makeup over time.

Question 18

Define macroevolution.

Answer 18

Large-scale evolutionary change that leads to the formation of new species.

Question 19

What is speciation?

Answer 19

The process by which new species arise from an existing population.

Question 20

What is hybrid breakdown?

Answer 20

Occurs when offspring of two different species are fertile but their descendants are weak or infertile.

Question 21

Define sympatric speciation.

Answer 21

The process where new species evolve from a single population in the same geographic area.

Question 22

Define allopatric speciation.

Answer 22

The formation of new species due to a population being geographically separated.

Question 23

What is punctuated equilibrium?

Answer 23

The theory that species evolve rapidly in short bursts, followed by long periods of little change.

Question 24

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 24

When different species evolve similar traits due to adapting to similar environments.

Question 25

What is divergent evolution?

Answer 25

When two or more related species become more different over time.

Question 26

What is adaptive radiation?

Answer 26

The rapid evolution of many different species from a common ancestor.

Question 27

What is allele frequency?

Answer 27

The proportion of a specific allele in a population's gene pool.

Question 28

What are isolation mechanisms?

Answer 28

Barriers that prevent different species from interbreeding, leading to speciation.

Question 29

What are transitional fossils?

Answer 29

Remains of species that show characteristics between two different groups.

Question 30

Define acquired characteristics.

Answer 30

Traits that an organism develops during its lifetime due to environmental factors.

Question 31

What is embryology?

Answer 31

The study of the development of embryos from fertilization to birth.

Question 32

What are the two main categories of isolating mechanisms?

Answer 32

Pre-zygotic and post-zygotic barriers.

Question 33

What is temporal isolation?

Answer 33

Species reproduce at different times.

Question 34

What is behavioral isolation?

Answer 34

Species have different mating behaviors.

Question 35

What is mechanical isolation?

Answer 35

Physical differences prevent mating.

Question 36

What is gametic isolation?

Answer 36

Sperm and egg cannot fuse.

Question 37

What is hybrid inviability?

Answer 37

Offspring do not develop properly or die early.

Question 38

What is hybrid sterility?

Answer 38

Offspring are sterile and cannot reproduce.

Question 39

Similarities between macroevolution and microevolution?

Answer 39

Both involve changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time.

Question 40

Differences between microevolution and macroevolution?

Answer 40

Microevolution refers to small-scale changes; macroevolution involves larger-scale changes leading to new species.