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LS12 - Life Sciences > Evolution terminology > Flashcards

Flashcards in Evolution terminology Deck (58)
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1
Q

study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms

A

paleontology

2
Q

species

A

group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated

3
Q

the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals

A

biogeography

3
Q

the study of differences in chemical processes among species

A

comparative biochemistry

4
Q

the comparative study of embryos of different species

A

comparative embryology

4
Q

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment

A

phenotype

5
Q

continental drift

A

the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time

6
Q

comparative biochemistry

A

the study of differences in chemical processes among species

6
Q

selective breeding

A

(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits

6
Q

structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.

A

analogous structures

6
Q

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related

A

inbreeding

7
Q

major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time

A

macro-evolution

8
Q

the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

A

comparative anatomy

8
Q

period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame

A

mass extinction

9
Q

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

A

meiosis

10
Q

comparative anatomy

A

the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

11
Q

paleontology

A

study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms

12
Q

the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time

A

continental drift

13
Q

analogous structures

A

structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.

14
Q

mass extinction

A

period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame

15
Q

any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations

A

biological evolution

16
Q

biological evolution

A

any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations

16
Q

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution

A

speciation

17
Q

homologous structures

A

structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor

18
Q

macro-evolution

A

major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time

19
Q

the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth

A

evolution

21
Q

group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated

A

species

22
Q

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated

A

outbreeding

23
Q

population

A

group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely

25
Q

a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.

A

genetic bottleneck

26
Q

natural selection

A

the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

27
Q

evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period

A

micro-evolution

28
Q

comparative embryology

A

the comparative study of embryos of different species

30
Q

a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait

A

genotype

32
Q

the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

A

natural selection

33
Q

biogeography

A

the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals

35
Q

the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form

A

fossil

36
Q

(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits

A

selective breeding

37
Q

group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely

A

population

38
Q

anthropology

A

the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development

39
Q

archaeology

A

the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

39
Q

structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor

A

homologous structures

40
Q

micro-evolution

A

evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period

42
Q

process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms

A

permineralisation

43
Q

permineralisation

A

process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms

44
Q

genetic bottleneck

A

a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.

46
Q

plate tectonics

A

theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth’s plates

47
Q

inbreeding

A

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related

48
Q

the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development

A

anthropology

49
Q

genotype

A

a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait

50
Q

fossil

A

the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form

52
Q

phenotype

A

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment

53
Q

evolution

A

the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth

54
Q

outbreeding

A

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated

55
Q

the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

A

archaeology

56
Q

theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth’s plates

A

plate tectonics

57
Q

meiosis

A

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

58
Q

speciation

A

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution