Quiz 1 Flashcards
(171 cards)
Theory
A body of thoughtfully tested and verified explanations for observations of the natural world- often incorporate conclusions from a variety of scientific fields
- does not imply lack of certainty; is cross-referenced with many phenomena- building greater certainty through modification rather than rejection
World view
A conceptual framework of ideas
The theory of biological evolution
All life shares common ancestry- linked by lines of dissent and has arisen from previous forms; processes of biological evolution that change populations of species over time and create new species (diversity)
Evolution
a connection of interconnected ideas
microevolution
evolutionary change that occurs within a species
- ex. Tomcod fish in Hudson River have evolved to withstand the toxic PCBs in their food source (relatively short period of time)
macroevolution
evolutionary change that results in the origin of a new species
- ex. Tomcod type of ray-fish - all have a common ancestor and larger changes as result of many microevolutionary steps
Evolution of species
evolution of fish species from a common ancestor over a long period of time
Biological Evolution
the change in heritable traits of a population over successive generations
elements of biological evolutions
change, heritable traits, population, successive generations
Change in population
Evolution= changes at the level of a population: “What portion of the population holds this trait?”
change in a heritable trait
change as a result of biological evolution; change is genetically sound/heritable
successive generations
change in population over generations; requires time
Natural selection
only evolutionary process that leads to adaptive evolution -> organisms evolve to be better suited for their environment as advantageous traits become predominant over time
Adaptation
a heritable trait favored by natural selection because it provides some function that helps the animal survive and reproduce in its environment
Elements of evolution by natural selection
VISTA Variation Inheritance Selection Time Adaptation
Variation + Inheritance
random mutation produces variation of a gene that is passed on/heritable
Selection
selective pressure and differential reproduction; environmental pressures cause individuals with a particular variation to have an advantage- making them better able to survive and reproduce
Selective pressure
external factors that contribute to the selection of which individuals have an increased success of surviving and reproducing offspring
differential reproduction
When reproductive success is not equal in a population (effect of selective pressures)
Time
Over time, advantageous traits of generations get passed to greater and greater numbers of offspring; over time, the population changes; strength of advantage determines speed at which population changes
Adaptation
overtime traits become more common, resulting in a population better suited to its environment
mutation is..
random
natural selection is..
not random- favors the mutations beneficial to the individuals
How is Natural selection limited
can only choose between the population’s existing genetic variations and whatever new genes arise through mutations