MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION
What Is Natural Selection?
A process where organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce more.
What are fossils?
Preserved remains that show past life.
What is speciation?
Formation of a new species.
What does Hardy-Weinberg describe?
A population that is NOT evolving.
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction.
What is gene flow?
Movement of genes between populations.
What is homologous structure evidence?
Body parts with similar structure but different functions.
What is sympatric speciation?
New species form in the same area.
One condition for Hardy-Weinberg?
Large population.
What is a cell?
The basic unit of life.
What is genetic drift?
Random changes in allele frequencies, especially in small populations.
What is DNA evidence?
Comparing genetic codes to show relationships.
What is parapatric speciation?
New species form in neighboring areas with little overlap.
Another condition
Random mating.
What molecule carries genetic information?
DNA.
What is mutation?
A random change in DNA that can create new traits.
What is embryology evidence?
Early development looks similar in related species.
What is reproductive isolation?
When groups can’t mate even if they live near each other.
Another condition?
No mutations / no natural selection / no movement in or out.
What process makes energy in cells?
Cellular respiration.
What is sexual selection?
When traits increase chances of mating, even if not needed for survival.
What are vestigial structures?
Body parts that no longer have a major use.
What is behavioral isolation?
Different mating behaviors or signals.
Why is Hardy-Weinberg useful?
It helps scientists see when evolution is happening.
What organelle does photosynthesis?
Chloroplast.