Midterm 1 Material Flashcards
(17 cards)
Evolution
Change through time
Biological Evolution
Any change in the inherited traits of a population that occurs from one generation to the next
Homology
Characteristics shared between related individuals because of common ancestry
Homoplasy
Similar traits not directly caused by common ancestor (convergent evolution)
Synapomorphy
Derived characteristics shared among a common ancestor and its descendants (one that evolved in the immediate common ancestor of the group and was inherited by all its descendants)
Morphology
Refers to the form and function of organisms
Phylogeny
Evolutionary history of a lineage
Mutations
Any change in the genomic sequence of an organism. Can be harmful, neutral, or beneficial.
Viral Reassortment
Occurs when genetic material from different strains is mixed to create a new combination within a cell. Can be deadly & highly infectious.
Genetic Drift
is evolution arising from random change in the genetic composition of a population from one generation to next
Genetics
Mechanism of heredity
Charles Lyell
Said earth changed gradually
Thomas Malthus
Said human population size is limited by resources and his essay influenced Darwins thinking.
Adaptation
Traits that have evolved by natural selection
Modern Synthesis
arose in the mid 1900s when a group of scientist started to combine population genetics, qualitative genetics, systematics, and paleontology.
Key players of population genetics
Fisher, Wright, Haldane
Neutral Theory
(Non-darwinian evolution) looked at evolution at the molecular level and thought that natural selection isn’t the only thing that causes evolution
