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92 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Evolution
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a change in the frequency of alleles from one generation to the next
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Primatology
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the study of the biology and behavior of nonhuman primates (lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes)
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Paleoanthropology
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the interdisciplinary approach to the study of earlier hominins- their chronology, physical structure, archaeological remains, habitats, and so on
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Forensic anthropology
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an applied anthropological approach dealing with legal matters. forensic anthropologists work with coroners and others in identifying and analyzing human remains
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Bioarchaeology
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the scientific study of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites, a discipline known elsewhere as osteoarchaeology or palaeo-osteology
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Scientific method
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an approach to research whereby a problem is indentified, a hypothesis (provisional explanation) is stated, and that hypothesis is tested by collecting and analyzing data; Observation, Hypothesis, Prediction, Experimentation and further observation, Repeatability
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Hypothesis
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a provisional explanation of a phenomenon. hypotheses require verification or falsification through testing
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Scientific theory
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a broad statement of scientific relationships or underlying principles that has been substantially verified through the testing of hypotheses
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Human variation
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subfield of physical anthropology; has adaptive significance
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Repeatability
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last step of scientific method; scientific hypothesis must be supported by repeatable evidence
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fixity of species
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the notion that species, once created, can never change; an idea diametrically opposed to theories of biological evolution
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taxonomy
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the branch of science concerned with the rules of classifying organisms on the basis of evolutionary relationships
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binomial nomenclature system
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in taxonomy, the convention established by carolus linnaeus whereby genus and species names are used to refer to species.
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catastrophism
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the view that the earth's geological landscape is the result of violent cataclysmic events. Cuvier promoted this view, especially in opposition to Lamarck.
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uniformitarianism
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the theory that the earth's features are the result of long-term processes that continue to operate in the present as they did in the past. Elaborated on by Lyell, this theory opposed catastrophism and contributed strongly to the concept of immense geological time.
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genes
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sequences of DNA bases that specify the order of amino acids in an entire protein, a portion of a protein, or any functional product. A gene may be made up of hundreds or thousands of DNA bases organized into coding and noncoding segments.
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Nucleus
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a structure (organelle) found in all eukaryotic cells. The nucleus contains chromosomes (nuclear DNA)
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Proteins
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3D molecules that serve a wide variety of functions through their ability to bind to other molecules
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Protein synthesis
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the assembly of chains of amino acids into functional protein molecules. the process is directed by DNA
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Amino acids
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small molecules that are the components of proteins
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Messenger RNA (mRNA)
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a form of RNA that's assembled on a sequence of DNA bases. It carries the DNA code to the ribosome during protein synthesis
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Transfer RNA (tRNA)
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the type of RNA that binds to specific amino acids and transports them to the ribosome during protein synthesis
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Mutation
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a change in DNA. the term can refer to changes in DNA bases (specifically called point mutations) as well as to changes in chromosome number and/or structure
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Sickle cell anemia
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a severe inherited hemoglobin disorder in which red blood cells collapse when deprived of oxygen. it results from inheriting two copies of a mutant allele. this allele is caused by a single base substitution in the DNA
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Point (single-based) mutation
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a chemical change in a single base of a DNA sequence
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Chromosome
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discrete structures composed of DNA and protein found only in the nuclei of cells. Chromosomes are visible under magnification only during certain phases of cell division
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Locus
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the position on a chromosome where a given gene occurs. the term is sometimes used interchangeably with gene
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Allele
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alternate forms of a gene; occur at the same locus on paired chromosomes and thus govern the same trait. but because they're different, their action may result in different expressions of that trait
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Mitosis
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simple cell division; the process by which somatic cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells
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Meiosis
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cell division in specialized cells in ovaries and testes. involves two divisions and results in four daughter cells, each containing only half the original number of chromosomes. these cells can develop into gametes
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Recombination or crossing-over
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the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis
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Nondisjunction
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the failure of partner chromosomes or chromosome strands to separate during cell division
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Homozygous
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having the same allele at the same locus on both members of a pair of chomosomes
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Genotype
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the genetic makeup of an individual. genotype can refer to an organism's entire genetic makeup or to the alleles at a particular locus
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Law of Segregation
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genes (alleles) occur in pairs because chromosomes occur in pairs. During gamete formation, the members of each pair of alleles separate, so that each gamete contains one member of each pair. during fertilization, the full number of chromosomes is restored, and members of gene or allele pairs are reunited
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Dominant (autosomal dominant)
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describing a trait governed by an allele that's expressed in the presence of another allele (ie in heterozygous). dominant alleles prevent the expression of recessive alleles in heterozygotes. (this is the definition of complete dominance)
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Recessive (autosomal recessive)
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describing a trait that isn't expressed in heterozygotes; also refers to the allele that governs the trait. for a recessive allele to be expressed, an individual must have two copies of it (ie the individual must be homozygous)
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Heterozygous
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having different alleles at the same locus on members of a pair of chromosomes
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Phenotype
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the observable or detectable physical characteristics of an organism; the detectable expressions of genotypes, frequently influenced by environmental factors
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Law of Independent Assortment
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the distribution of one pair of alleles into gametes does not influence the distribution of another pair. the genes controlling different traits are inherited independently of one another
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Simple Mendelian (discrete, discontinuous, categorical) traits
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characteristics that are influenced by alleles at only one genetic locus. blood types, sickle cell anemia, tay-sachs = mendelian traits
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Polygenic/complex traits (continuous)
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referring to traits that are influenced by genes at two or more loci. ex/ stature, skin color, eye color, hair color; many are influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition
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Microevolutionary change
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small changes occuring within species, such as a change in allele frequencies
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Macroevolution
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changes produced only after many generations, such as the appearance of a new species
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Genetic Drift
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evolutionary changes - that is changes in allele frequencies - produced by random factors. genetic drift is a result of small population size
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Founder Effect (Pitcairn
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a type of genetic drift in which allele frequencies are altered in small populations that are taken from, or are remnants of, larger populations
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Gene pool
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the total complement of genes shared by the reproductive members of a population
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Phylum: Chordata
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the phylum of the animal kingdom that includes vertebrates
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Subphylum: Vertebrata (vertebrates)
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animals with segmented, bony spinal columns; includes fishes, amphibians, reptiles (including birds), and mammals
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Homology; homologous structures
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similarities between organisms based on descent from a common ancestor
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Homoplasy
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the separate evolutionary development of similar characteristics in different groups of organisms
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Cladistics
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an approach to classification that attempts to make rigorous evolutionary interpretations based solely on analysis of certain types of homologous characters (those considered to be derived characters)
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Clade
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a group of organisms sharing a common ancestor. the group includes the common ancestor and all descendants
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Phylogenetic tree
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a chart showing evolutionary relationships as determined by evolutionary systematics. it contains a time component and implies ancestor-descendant relationships
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Speciation
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the process by which a new species evolves from an earlier species. speciation is the most basic process in macroevolution
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Allopatric
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living in different areas. this pattern is important in the divergence of closely related species from each other and from their shared ancestral species because it leads to reproductive isolation
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Heterodont dentition
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having different kinds of teeth; characteristic of mammals, whose teeth consist of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars
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Endothermy
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able to maintain internal body temperature by producing energy through metabolic processes within cells; characteristic of mammals, birds, and perhaps some dinosaurs
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Adaptive radiation
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the relatively rapid expansion and diversification of life-forms into new ecological niches
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Punctuated equilibrium
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the concept that evolutionary change proceeds through long periods of stasis punctuated by rapid periods of change
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Sexual dimorphism
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differences in physical characteristics between males and females of the same species.
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Transcription
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Copy of the dna code is transcribed (read) into a form that can pass through nuclear membrane so that proteins can be made outside the nucleus; 1. Dna unzips 2. mRNA bases attach 3. mRNA goes to ribosome 4. DNA zips up again
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Translation
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Sequence of bases on mRNA instructs which amino acids to begin gathering to form whatever protein; 1. mRNA attracts complementary strand of tRNA
2. each tRNA unit carries a specific amino acid on its back 3. Amino acids are laid down in a sequence defined by the mRNA codons (3 base pairs) 4. This forms a polypeptide chain, which combines with others to make up a protein |
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Primitive vertebrate limb system
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Consists of single upper bone in the limbs, paired lower limbs, and 5 digits at the upper and the bottom limbs
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dentition
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development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth.
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Gametes
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(sex cells—egg, sperm); reproductive cells developed from precursor cells in ovaries and testes
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Polyandry
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a mating system characterized by an assocation between a female and more than one male (usually two or three) with whom she mates. Among nonhuman primates, this pattern is seen only in marmosets and tarmarins. can have 2 offspring at one time
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Nonrandom mating
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pattern of mating in which individuals choose mates preferentially. that is, mate choice is based on different criteria such as social status, ethnicity, or biological relationship. an individual doesn't have an equal chance of mating with all other individuals in their group
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Ancestral/primitive
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referring to characters inherited by a group of organisms from a remote ancestor and thus not diagnostic of groups (lineages) that diverged after the character first appeared; also called primitive
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Derived
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(modified) referring to characters that are modified from the ancestral condition and thus diagnostic of particular evolutionary lineages
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Home range
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the total area exploited by an animal or social group; usually given for one year or for the entire lifetime of an animal
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Territory
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the portions of an individual's or group's home range actively defended against intrusion, particularly by conspecifics
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Day range
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where primates are during the day
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Conspecifics
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members of the same species
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Arboreal
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tree-living; adapted to life in the trees
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terrestrial
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living and locomoting primarily on the ground
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Shared
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relating to specific character traits shared in common between two life-forms and considered the most useful for making evolutionary interpretations
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Stereoscopic vision
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the condition whereby visual images are, to varying degrees, superimposed. this provides for depth perception, or viewing the external environment in 3D. stereoscopic vision is partly a function of structures in the brain
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Bishop James Ussher
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Irish archbishop who analyzed the "begat" chapter of Genesis and determined that the earth was created the morning of October 23 in 4004 BC.
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Karl von Linne (Carl Linnaeus)
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swedish naturalist who developed a method of classifying plants and animals. wrote Systema Naturae. established binomial nomenclature
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Jean Baptiste Lamarck
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french naturalist who was first person to explain the evolutionary process. theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics or the use-disuse theory
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inheritance of acquired characteristics
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aka use-disuse theory; hypothesis about a mechanism of heredity by which changes in physiology acquired over the life of an organism (such as the enlargement of a muscle through repeated use) may purportedly be transmitted to offspring.
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Georges Cuvier
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french vertebrate paleontologist; opponent of lamarck; introduced the concept of extinction to explain the disappearance of animals represented by fossils. proposed a variation of a doctrine known as catastrophism.
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Charles Lyell
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founder of modern geology; wrote Principles of Geology; introduced the theory called geological uniformitarianism
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Thomas Malthus
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english economist who wrote An Essay on the Principle of Population; inspired darwin and wallace
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Essay on the Principle of Population
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written by Thomas Malthus; argued for limits to population growth. stated that humans will just keep populating, but resources will be stagnant, so population must be limited to prevent excess people from suffering
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Alfred Russel Wallace
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was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of evolution due to natural selection that prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.
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Charles Darwin
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English naturalist who realised that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection. published On the Origin of Species.
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Galapagos Islands
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where Darwin traveled to on the HMS Beagle
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Darwin’s finches
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finches varied in beak size depending on their niche; darwin realized that they were all descended from a common ancestor and had been modified over time to fit their environment
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Differential reproduction
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If the traits that give these individuals a reproductive advantage are also heritable, that is, passed from parent to child, then there will be a slightly higher proportion of fast rabbits or efficient algae in the next generation.
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Thomas Henry Huxley
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an English biologist, known as Darwin's Bulldog for his advocacy of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
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