Unit 4 List 1 Evolution

Question 1

Amino acid sequencing

Answer 1

The process of identifying the arrangement of amino acids in proteins and peptides.

Question 2

Analogous structure

Answer 2

A trait which serves the same or similar functions between separate organisms, but have different structures.

Question 3

Anatomy

Answer 3

The science that studies the structure of the body.

Question 4

Biochemical evidence

Answer 4

The use of molecular biology techniques to study the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.

Question 5

Biogeography

Answer 5

The study of the distribution of plants, animals, and other types of life.

Question 6

Cladogram

Answer 6

A diagram that shows relationships between species.

Question 7

Common ancestry

Answer 7

An ancestral group of organisms that is shared by multiple lineages.

Question 8

Descent with modification

Answer 8

Passing traits from parent to offspring.

Question 9

DNA sequencing

Answer 9

Determining the order of the four chemical building blocks that make up the DNA molecule.

Question 10

Electrophoresis

Answer 10

A laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge.

Question 11

Embryo

Answer 11

Early stage in the development of humans and other animals or plants.

Question 12

Embryology

Answer 12

The study of the formation and development of an embryo and fetus.

Question 13

Evolutionary tree

Answer 13

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Question 14

Fossil record

Answer 14

A collection of fossils documenting the history of life on Earth.

Question 15

Homologous structure

Answer 15

Similar physical features in organisms that share a common ancestor, but the features serve completely different functions.

Question 16

Homology

Answer 16

Having the same typical structure and position.

Question 17

Paleontology

Answer 17

The study of the history of life on Earth as based on fossils.

Question 18

Phenotypic similarity

Answer 18

A measure of functional redundancy within homologous gene families.

Question 19

Phylogeny

Answer 19

The representation of the evolutionary history and relationships between groups of organisms.

Question 20

Phylogenetic tree

Answer 20

A diagram that depicts the lines of evolutionary descent of different species, organisms, or genes from a common ancestor.

Question 21

Vestigial structures

Answer 21

A feature that a species inherited from an ancestor but that is now less elaborate and functional than in the ancestor.

Question 22

Sedimentary layers

Answer 22

Sedimentary rocks are laid down in layers called beds or strata. A bed is defined as a layer of rock that has a uniform lithology and texture.

Question 23

Adaptation

Answer 23

The evolutionary process whereby an organism becomes better able to live in its habitat or habitats.

Question 24

Behavior

Answer 24

The change in activity of an organism in response to a stimulus.

Question 25

Competition

Answer 25

A relationship between organisms that strive for the same resources in the same place.

Question 26

Gene pool

Answer 26

The combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.

Question 26

Fitness

Answer 26

An organism's ability to pass its genetic material to its offspring.

Question 27

Genetic variation

Answer 27

A term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes.

Question 28

Geographic isolation

Answer 28

The physical separation of populations of organisms from one another due to geographical barriers.

Question 29

Morphology

Answer 29

The study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.

Question 30

Natural selection

Answer 30

The process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change.

Question 31

Phenotypic expression

Answer 31

An individual's observable traits, such as height, eye color and blood type.

Question 32

Physiology

Answer 32

The study of how the human body works.

Question 33

Population

Answer 33

All the organisms of the same group or species that live in a specific area and are capable of breeding among themselves.

Question 34

Reproductive isolation

Answer 34

The inability of a species to breed successfully with related species due to geographical, behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers or differences.

Question 35

Sexual selection

Answer 35

The process by which individuals compete for access to mates and fertilization opportunities.

Question 36

Speciation

Answer 36

The process by which new species form.

Question 37

Species

Answer 37

A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring.

Question 38

Trait

Answer 38

A specific characteristic of an individual.

Question 39

Coevolution

Answer 39

The process of reciprocal evolutionary change that occurs between pairs of species or among groups of species as they interact with one another.

Question 40

Convergent evolution

Answer 40

Occurs when organisms that aren't closely related evolve similar features or behaviors, often as solutions to the same problems.

Question 41

Divergent evolution

Answer 41

The process by which interbreeding species diverged into two or more evolutionary groups.

Question 42

Founder effect

Answer 42

The reduction in genomic variability that occurs when a small group of individuals becomes separated from a larger population.

Question 43

Gene flow

Answer 43

Any movement of individuals, and/or the genetic material they carry, from one population to another.

Question 44

Gene frequency

Answer 44

The ratio of the number of a specified allele in a population to the total of all alleles at its genetic locus.

Question 45

Gene pool

Answer 45

The combination of all the genes (including alleles) present in a reproducing population or species.

Question 46

Genetic drift

Answer 46

The change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance.

Question 47

Geologic record

Answer 47

The irreplaceable account of the joint history between the Earth and living organisms.