Evolutionary Biologists
Mechanisms of Evolution
Pre-zygotic Isolating Mechanisms
Post-zygotic Isolating mechanisms
Natural Selection
100

This evolutionary biologist was the first to classify animals into groups.

Who is Aristotle?

100

These are the mechanisms that contribute to Evolution.

What is: Natural Selection, Mutation, Gene Flow, Genetic Drift and Non-Random Mating?

100

When gametes are unable to fuse together.

What is gametic isolation?

100

Two individuals are bred together.  A hybrid is created, but it dies in development.

What is zygote mortality?

100

When two distinct phenotypes have an advantage over the average phenotype.

What is disruptive evolution?

200

This individual explained that as populations increase, so does competition.

Who is Malthus?

200

This mechanism of evolution can lead to the existence of sexual dimorphism.

What is non-random mating?

200

One type of grasshopper prefers sandy soil as their habitat, while another prefers grassy areas.

What is habitat isolation?

200

While the first generation of this isolating mechanism might be viable, the second one will not be.

What is hybrid inviability?

200

When natural selection favours an average phenotype.  

What is stabilizing selection?

300

The idea that populations change as time passes was coined by this individual.

Who is Darwin?

300

This mechanism of evolution is responsible for maintaining a constant exchange of genetic material.  Without this mechanism, speciation would occur.

What is gene flow?

300

A bumblebee fits perfectly into a fox glove flower to obtain its nectar, while simultaneously picking up pollen.  However, a hummingbird would have a difficult time obtaining nectar from this same flower.

What is mechanical isolation?

300

A Lion and a Tiger are mated together create a Liger. The Liger will live a happy life.  However, if the Liger attempts to produce offspring of their own, they will be unable to.

What is hybrid infertility?

300

Grey and Himalayan coloured rabbits are better able to camouflage in a rocky environment than white rabbits.  As a result, a diverse population is established.  

What is disruptive selection?

400

This evolutionary biologist would explain that individuals acquire traits within their lifetime.  These traits help them to survive, and they can then pass these traits onto future generations.

Who is Lamarck. 

400

If forest fire were to break out, leading to the destruction of half of a forest and therefore eliminating half of a squirrel population, which form of genetic drift would be represented?

What is the bottleneck effect?

400

Peonies flowers bloom in the spring and produce a beautiful scent that attracts pollinators to them. In contrast, Hydrangeas bloom in late summer.

What is temporal isolation?

400

A sheep and a goat are crossed are interbred within captivity.  They produce a zygote, however the zygote does not survive more than a month.

What is zygote mortality?

400

Light coloured moths are better camouflages on white coloured lichen, where as dark coloured moths are better camouflaged in lichen covered in soot.  Through the industrial revolution, the more common colour of moth shifted from light to dark.

What is directional selection?

500

These two evolutionary biologists went head to head in their description of how evolution occurred.  While one believed that catastrophism took place, the other felt that there was more of a uniformitarianism approach to evolution.

Who are Cuvier and Lyell

500

This mechanism of evolution is responsible for the potential increase in prevalence of an autosomal recessive disorders within a population.

What is non-random mating?

500

When birds are young, they learn unique mating songs.  As adults, they use their unique songs to attract a mate.  If a Robin were to sing their song, a Finch would know that this is not their potential mate!

What is behavioural isolation?

500

Different species of plants can produce fertile hybrids.  But the offspring of the hybrids die as seeds are in early development.

what is hybrid unviability?

500

Robins typically lay 4 eggs.  Larger clutches may result in malnourished chicks.  While smaller clutches may result in no viable offspring.

What is stabilizing selection?