Labs
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a random change in the DNA of an organism.
What is an example of classification?
A department store, the periodic table, or even your closet!
What is DNA?
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the foundation for all life (that we know of).
Do parents have the same genes as their offspring?
If the organisms are reproducing through mitosis, then yes (except in the case of a mutation). If they are reproducing through meiosis, then no. An offspring usually gets half its genes from one parent, and half from the other (but how the two sets of genes combine is a different story!)
What is evolution? Why is it also called 'descent with modification'?
Evolution is a change in the characteristics of organisms or populations over many generations. It is also called descent with modification because descendants are changed from their ancestors through the process of evolution.
Do organisms adapt to their environment? Why?
Yes. Those that can't adapt will die, so only those with the traits most suited to their environment will survive.
State two reasons for classification.
To organize and show a relationship between two or more things. Classification can also help identify things and ease communication. (ex: if you are talking about shirts, people understand).
What is a chromosome?
A chromosome is a thread-like structure that resides within the nucleus. It is made up of DNA and histone proteins. Different organisms inherit different amounts of chromosomes in different ways, but they do all have chromosomes.
What is the difference between heterozygous and homozygous?
It's as simple as BB or Bb!
Homozygous: two same copies of the same allele coding for a particular trait. (ex BB or bb)
Heterozygous: two different copies of alleles coding for a particular trait. (ex Bb)
What is the difference between analogous and homologous structures?
Structures that look different in organisms with different genetics, but carry out the same or similar function, are known as analogous structures.
Similar-looking structures in organisms with similar genetics that carry out different functions are known as homologous structures.
Are organisms that look similar often similar in terms of their genetics?
Yes.
How do you properly state the name of an organism?
What is a nucleotide?
A nucleotide is one of the structural components, or building blocks, of DNA and RNA. A nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base (one of four chemicals: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) plus a molecule of sugar and of phosphoric acid.
What is the difference between genetic drift and gene flow?
Gene flow is the process of alleles going from one population to another, while genetic drift is the alteration of allele frequency in a gene pool.
What is the difference between convergent and divergent evolutions?
Convergent evolution involves unrelated species that develop similar characteristics over time, whereas divergent evolution involves species with a common ancestor that change to become increasingly different over time.
What is a selecting pressure and agent?
The selecting agent is the environmental factor acting on the population. The selection pressure is the effect of natural selection acting on the population.
Ex: In the moth lab, the birds eating the moths are the selecting agent.
What are the 5 kingdoms of living things?
Animalia, plantae, fungi, protista, and monera.
Explain the role of DNA in evolution.
DNA dictates an organism's traits. Any sort of change in a DNA sequence can then lead to changes in the traits of an organism (usually through a mutation). Over time and several generations, an organism's DNA may become so different from the original organism that becomes an entirely different species (it has evolved).
What is recombination?
Recombination is the rearrangement of DNA sequences by the breakage and rejoining of chromosomes or chromosome segments, usually at random. This process creates genetic variation.
Where can we find evidence for evolution?
We can find evidence of evolution through anatomy, molecular biology, biogeography, fossils, and direct observation. That's a lot of places.
What is an amino acid?
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine line up in a specific order to make one of Earth's 20 possible amino acids. The order of these amino acids determine what protein is made.
What are the seven taxa levels, in order?
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
Can an organism's DNA change throughout its life?
Yes. Our cells are constantly dividing and consequently, mutating. However, most mutations of this form are completely unnoticeable and harmless.
How can a mutation affect a gene pool?
A mutation can affect a gene pool when it is favourable or harmless. Through breeding, an organism with a mutation can share its traits with others in its gene pool, thus changing the gene pool over time.
What is the difference between punctuated equilibrium and gradualism?
Gradualism is the selection and variation that occur in small increments, whereas punctuated equilibrium is a radical change that occurs in a short period of time.