Intro to Evolution
What is the name of the scientist who proposed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What is the main driving force of evolution that results in the differential survival and reproduction of individuals?
natural selection
What does DNA stand for, and what is its primary function in cells?
It is deoxyribonucleic acid; it carries genetic information and codes for proteins?
What are mutations, and how do they contribute to genetic variation?
They are changes in the DNA sequence; they introduce new alleles into a population
What is an adaptation, and how does it help an organism survive in its environment?
It is a trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in its environment; it increases its fitness
What term describes the process by which species gradually change over time?
evolution
What is genetic drift, and how does it affect small populations?
It is the random change in allele frequencies in a population; it can lead to the loss of genetic diversity in small populations?
What is the process by which DNA is copied into mRNA?
transcription
What is genetic recombination, and when does it occur?
It is the shuffling of alleles during meiosis; it occurs during gamete formation.
Give an example of a structural adaptation in animals and explain how it helps the organism survive.
Multiple responses available
Who were the other two scientists involved in the evolution theory?
Wallace and Lamarck
What is gene flow, and how does it impact genetic variation within populations?
Gene flow is the movement of genes between populations; it increases genetic diversity within populations
What is the role of tRNA in the process of translation?
It is carrying amino acids to the ribosome and matching them to the mRNA codon sequence
When were blue eyes introduced into the human population?
10,000 years ago
Give an example of adaptations that help an animal defend itself against predators
Multiple answers
What is the term for the process by which new species arise from a common ancestor
Speciation
What is sexual selection in terms of reproduction, and how does it contribute to evolution?
It is the process where certain traits increase an individual's chances of mating and reproducing; it can lead to the evolution of exaggerated traits or behaviors?
What is a codon, and how many nucleotides are typically in a codon?
It is a three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid
What is the bottleneck effect?
It is when an environmental disaster or an event wipes out a number of the population and only leaves a few alive dwindling the gene pool
What is camouflage, and how does it benefit animals in their environments?
It is the ability of an organism to blend in with its surroundings; it helps animals avoid detection by predators or prey
What are vestigial structures, and what do they indicate about evolution?
They are remnants of structures that had important functions in ancestors but are no longer used in the same way; they indicate common ancestry and evolutionary change over time.
What is artificial selection, and how has it been used by humans?
It is the selective breeding of plants and animals to promote the occurrence of desirable traits; it has been used in agriculture and animal husbandry to enhance crop yield, flavor, and other characteristics
What are the three types of RNA involved in protein synthesis, and what are their functions?
They are mRNA (messenger RNA, carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome), tRNA (transfer RNA, carries amino acids to the ribosome), and rRNA (ribosomal RNA, forms the ribosome's structure and catalyzes protein synthesis)
What is genetic variation, and why is it important for the survival of populations?
It is the diversity of alleles and genotypes within a population; it provides the structure for natural selection to act upon and adapt to changing environments
What is the process of natural selection, and how does it lead to the evolution of adaptations in populations?
Reproduction and passing of traits down from one generation to the next. The more certain traits are desired the more they will be pronounced