Evolution & Natural Selection
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to the gradual evolution of species.
What is an atomic number?
The atomic number is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.
What are proteins made of?
Proteins are made of amino acids linked together in a specific sequence.
What is taxonomy?
Taxonomy is the science of classifying and naming organisms based on shared characteristics
What is a phylogenetic tree?
A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms, showing common ancestors and branching points.
Describe Charles Darwin's contribution to evolution
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, explaining how species adapt and change over time based on environmental pressures.
Define an isotope
An isotope is a variant of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in the nucleus.
Name the four types of biomolecules
The four types of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Who developed the system of binomial nomenclature?
Carl Linnaeus developed the system of binomial nomenclature.
Define clade
A clade is a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants, forming a single branch on the phylogenetic tree.
What is genetic drift?
Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies within a population, often having a more significant effect in small populations.
What are covalent bonds?
Covalent bonds are chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Describe the primary structure of a protein
The primary structure of a protein is the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, determined by the genetic code.
Define genus and species
Genus is a group of related species, and species is the basic unit of classification, representing individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What is the importance of a common ancestor?
A common ancestor is significant because it represents the point from which related species diverged, providing insight into evolutionary history.
Explain the concept of survival of the fittest
Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that individuals with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits to the next generation.
What is a pH scale?
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline), with 7 being neutral.
What is the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions?
Enzymes act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, speeding up the rate of reactions by lowering the activation energy required.
Explain the concept of a dichotomous key
A dichotomous key is a tool used to identify organisms by answering a series of questions with two choices, leading to the correct identification.
Explain the concept of molecular phylogenetics
Molecular phylogenetics involves analyzing DNA, RNA, or protein sequences to study evolutionary relationships and construct phylogenetic trees.
What is the significance of the fossil record in studying evolution?
The fossil record provides evidence of past life forms, showing how organisms have changed over time and helping scientists reconstruct evolutionary histories.
Explain the difference between an acid and a base
Acids release hydrogen ions (H⁺) in solution, while bases release hydroxide ions (OH⁻). Acids have a pH less than 7, and bases have a pH greater than 7.
Explain how DNA differs from RNA
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is double-stranded and contains the genetic blueprint for an organism, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is single-stranded and involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.
What is the significance of Latin in scientific naming?
Latin is used in scientific naming because it is a "dead" language that does not change, ensuring consistency and universality in names.
Describe how phylogenetics is used to study evolution
Phylogenetics is used to study evolution by tracing the lineage of organisms, identifying common ancestors, and understanding the genetic changes that have occurred over time.