Evolution Basics
The change in inherited traits in a population over generations
What is evolution
Individuals in a population are not identical, they have different traits
What is variation.
The formation of new species.
Random changes in DNA
What are mutations?
A group of organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring.
What is a species?
Traits that help organisms survive and reproduce in their environment?
What are adaptations
When more offspring are produced than can survive.
What is overpopulation
Speciation caused by geographic separation.
What is allopathic speciation?
Movement of genes between populations.
What is gene flow?
A barrier that prevents mating or fertilization before it occurs.
What is a prezygotic barrier?
The process where individuals with beneficial traits survive and reproduce more.
What is natural selection
The idea that individuals with helpful traits survive and reproduce more.
What is survival of the fittest?
Speciation that occurs without geographic separation.
What is sympatric speciation
Random change in allele frequencies due to chance.
What is genetic drift?
A barrier where offspring are weak or sterile after fertilization.
What is postzygotic barrier?
The scientist who proposed evolution by natural selection.
Who is Charles Darwin?
The ship Darwin traveled on to collect evidence for evolution.
What is the HMS Beagle?
Mountains or rivers separating populations can cause this type of speciation.
What is allopathic speciation?
When individuals choose mates based on traits
What is sexual selection/non-random mating.
An example of a sterile hybrid organism
What is a mule?
The famous book published in 1859 explaining evolution by natural selection
What is On the Origin of Species?
Natural Selection acts directly on this but evolution changes this in populations.
What are traits/phenotypes vs allele frequencies?
A principle that says allele frequencies in a population stay the same if evolution is not happening.
The most well known mechanism of evolution proposed by Darwin
What is natural selection
Two species reproduce at different times of the year. This is what type of barrier?
What is a temporal prezygotic barrier?