Evolution
The definition of evolution.
What is:
Biological evolution refers to the cumulative changes that occur in a population over time. These changes are produced at the genetic level as organisms' genes mutate and/or recombine in different ways during reproduction and are passed on to future generations.
Finish the sentence: genetic variation happens due to _______________.
What is: genetic mutation
The definition of adaptation.
What is:
A characteristic that helps an organism become better suited to survive in its environment.
To "win" at natural selection, you must ________ and _________.
What is:
survive and reproduce
Define selective/environmental pressure.
What is:
factors that affect an organism's ability to survive in a given environment
Common descent is a product of evolution.
What is:
Yes. Just as the tree of life illustrates, all organisms, both living and extinct, are related. Every branch of the tree represents a species, and every fork separating one species from another represents the common ancestor shared by these species.
Which species has the most genetic variation:
a. humans
b. fruit flies
c. elephants
What is:
b. fruit flies
Physical characteristics along with __________ are considered adaptations.
What is:
behavioral
True or false:
An organism is considered to be "fit" if they do not pass on their genes to the next generation.
What is:
False.
True or false:
A lake that is gradually running out of water is an example of selective pressure.
What is:
true
What does genetics have to do with evolution?
What is:
Within your genetics, the code for your traits is carried. If you reproduce, your genetics will be passed down to your offspring. From generation to generation, well-understood molecular mechanisms reshuffle, duplicate and alter genes in a way that produces genetic variation. This variation is the raw material for evolution.
Is genetic variation important?
What is:
Yes. Without genetic variation, some of the basic mechanisms of evolution can’t operate and organisms will fail to adapt and eventually die. Genetic variation allows natural selection to occur, and this increases the ability of organisms to survive changes in their environment and ultimately reproduce.
In relation to giraffes, what are four adaptations they could have?
What is:
1. long necks
2. spotted coat for camouflage
3. long legs
4. black tongue to reduce sunburn
How might a male peacock's adaptations (physical or behavioral) help him find a mate?
What is:
He impresses the ladies with his beautifully colored fancy feathers ;)
What is:
No. Predators also fall under selective pressure and they are biotic.
What on Earth does reproduction have to do with evolution?
What is:
Sexual reproduction allows an organism to combine half of its genes with half of another individual's genes, which means new combinations of genes are produced every generation. In addition, when eggs and sperm are produced, genetic material is shuffled and recombined in ways that produce new combinations of genes. Sexual reproduction thus increases genetic variation, which increases the raw material on which natural selection operates. Genetic variation within a species -- also known as genetic diversity -- increases a species' opportunity for change over successive generations.
In humans, which of the following are examples of genetic variation:
What is:
a. mutation
Genetic drift, natural selection, and sexual selection act to distribute traits, but new genetic variants arise only through mutation - copying errors during reproduction.
True or false:
Adaptations can be immediately adapting to one's surroundings or refer to the process of becoming adapted or to the features of organisms that promote reproductive success.
What is:
True.
If an animal has a genetic mutation that provides it with an advantage to its survival and does not reproduce/pass on the trait, what could that mean to its species population?
What is:
Over time, if the adaptation that the organism had wasn't passed on that could have potentially benefitted the entire population. In turn, the number of organisms could decrease or even go extinct.
What is:
When factors within an environment are putting pressure on an organism, certain genetic mutations may lead to different variations that could potentially help the organism combat the pressure.
Is evolution and "survival of the fittest" the same thing?
What is:
No. Evolution and "survival of the fittest" are not the same thing. Evolution refers to the cumulative changes in a population or species through time. "Survival of the fittest" is a popular term that refers to the process of natural selection, a mechanism that drives evolutionary change.
Does genetic variation lead to adaptations?
What is:
No. But they could become a survival advantage. Mutations are random and don’t happen in response to environmental changes. Therefore, they are not adaptive, but they are important because they can bring out variations that are tested in the environment. If a mutation turns out to be advantageous for a species that variation is inherited by the offspring and helps ensure the survival of the population.
Any or all of these types of adaptations play a critical role in the ___________ of an animal.
What is:
survival
The role of reproduction in natural selection?
What is:
Sexual reproduction thus increases genetic variation, which increases the raw material on which natural selection operates. Genetic variation within a species -- also known as genetic diversity -- increases a species' opportunity for change over successive generations.
Name 3 possible environmental pressures.
Competition
Predation
Land clearance
Pollutants
Diseases and illnesses
Climate change
Parasitism