Evolution 1
What is the process by which species change over time?
Evolution
Who is known as the father of evolution for his theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What is the primary mechanism by which evolution occurs?
Natural selection
What term describes the preserved remains of organisms?
Fossils
What are "fossils"
Ancient plants and animals preserved in rock
What is "natural selection"?
A process where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce
What does "genetic variation" refer to in a population?
Differences in DNA among individuals
Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
Human appendix
What is "speciation"?
The process by which new species are formed
How does "artificial selection" differ from "natural selection"?
Artificial selection is human-directed, while natural selection occurs due to environmental pressures
What is the significance of the "Galápagos Islands" to Darwin's theory?
They provided evidence of diverse species evolving differently on different islands
What is "genetic drift"?
Random changes in allele frequencies in a population
Which type of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotypic range?
Disruptive selection
What is the main difference between "homologous" and "analogous" structures?
Homologous structures are derived from a common ancestor, while analogous structures are not.
What role does "mutation" play in evolution?
It introduces new genetic variations into a population.
What is the "modern synthesis" in evolutionary biology?
The integration of Darwinian natural selection with Mendelian genetics
How does "stabilizing selection" affect a population?
It favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation
What is "adaptive radiation"?
The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor
Explain the concept of "punctuated equilibrium".
Evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.
What evidence supports the theory of evolution through comparative anatomy?
Similar structures in different species that indicate a common ancestor
What does "co-evolution" refer to in evolutionary biology?
The process where two or more species influence each other's evolution
What is "sexual selection"?
Selection based on traits that improve mating success
Define "homologous structures".
Structures with similar origins but different functions
What is "the role of fossils" in evolutionary theory?
Provide evidence of past life and evolutionary changes
Define "evolutionary bottleneck".
Population reduction leading to decreased genetic diversity