Fossils
Define Fossil Theory
The theory that fossils provide of past life forms and their evolution, showing how species change over time
Define Natural Selection
Define Speciation
Process of new species forming from existing ones
Process of living things changing over time through inherited traits from generation to generation
What does Darwin suggest about the rate of evolution
Evolution is slow and steady (aka gradualism)
What type of rock are fossils most commonly found in?
Sedimentary rock
What is the 'survival of the fittest'?
The idea that organisms who are more adapted to their environment will survive longer and pass on their genes
What are the two main types of speciation?
Allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
Define the 'Descent of Modification'
Described how species change over time with offsprings differing slightly from their parents
If a bacteria population doubles every hour, this is the best description of its growth rate.
What is exponential growth?
How are most fossils formed?
Most fossils form when an organism is buried by sediment, and over time, the remains are replaced by minerals and harden into rock.
Who is considered the father of the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
How does allopatric speciation occur?
It occurs when a population is geographically separated, leading to reproductive isolation and the formation of new species.
What type of evidence do fossils provide for evolution?
Fossils show how organisms have changed over time and provide a record of extinct species
The rate of change of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction usually increases with this, up to a certain point, before it denatures.
What is temperature?
What is the fossil record?
The fossil record is the collection of all known fossils and their placement in rock layers, which provides evidence about the history of life on Earth.
What are the four main components of natural selection?
Variation, inheritance, differential survival and reproduction, and adaptation
What is sympatric speciation?
It’s speciation that occurs without geographic separation, often due to genetic changes, behavioral differences, or ecological factors.
How do homologous structures provide evidence of evolution?
Homologous structures are body parts in different species that have a similar structure but may have different functions, indicating a common ancestry between those species.
In terms of evolution, how can environmental pressure affect the rate of genetic change in a population?
Increase the rate of genetic change in a population
What is a transitional fossil?
A transitional fossil shows traits of both ancestral and newer species, providing evidence of evolution.
Why is variation important for natural selection?
Without variation, all individuals would be the same, and there would be no traits for natural selection to act upon.
How can genetic drift lead to speciation?
In small, isolated populations, random changes in allele frequencies can lead to significant differences over time, potentially causing speciation.
How does DNA sequence comparison provide evidence for evolution?
Comparing DNA sequences between species shows how closely related they are
Compare the rate of photosynthesis in a plant under low light vs. high light conditions. What factors influence this rate?
Slower under low light conditions and faster under high light conditions. The amount of energy that a plant can make with sugar