Levels of organization Vocab
The simplest unit of life
Cells
Heritable changes in one or more traits in a population from one generation to the next
Evolution
Fossils
What is an example of a "fitness" trait?
Fertility, beak size, neck length
Organisms
small-scale changes to a a population over time, typically to single genes
Microevolution
Programs and procedures designed to modify traits in domesticated species
Selective Breeding
Which of the following is an example of two members of the same species?
A) A whale and a shark; B) A lion and a tiger; C) A horse and a zebra E) Golden Retrievers and Poodles D) Brahman Cattle and Black Angus Cattle
E) Golden Retrievers and Poodles
Both of these are dogs.
A group of individuals of the same species in the same environment
Population
A group of related organisms that share a distinctive form, types of traits, genes
Species
similarities between organisms because of descent from a common ancestor
Homology
Why is interbreeding between species generally not successful?
Species do not have the same form/gene variations. Even species that are closely related enough to produce viable offspring don't produce fertile offspring (mules are sterile).
All populations of living things in a given environment
Community
"Fitness", the process by which individuals with phenotypic advantages are more likely to reproduce
Natural selection
Organisms that are naturally found only in a particular location
Endemic
What is an example of evolution in humans- think: what are some examples of shifts that we have undergone to increase fitness?
EX: Lactose tolerance, varying skin tones, average birth weights
The community and the environment they live in
Ecosystem
Macroevolution
Two different species evolve similar traits because they have similar environments
Convergent Evolution
How does genetic variation in a population cause natural selection?
Genetic variation causes a wide spread of phenotypes, but some of these phenotypes are more beneficial than others. These phenotypes are naturally selected for because these individuals can survive long enough to pass on their genes.