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42 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

Define natural selection

The process by which certain individuals of a population have a genetic makeup which makes them more suited to their environment and allows them to be more reperductivley successfull

What is VERA

Variation
Environment
Reperduction
Adaption

What is considered in the variation stage of natural selection

More offspring are produced than can survive.
Many individuals within populations naturally posses differences in their structure, behaviour or functioning.

Give an example of variation

The peppered moth lays more eggs than will survive and varies from dark to light in colour

What is considered in the environmental pressure stage in natural selection

Things can change that effect a species such as:
Environmental change
Competiton
Predation
Disease

Give an example of how environmental pressure can effect a species

Peppered moth - A physical change to the environment as the trees become covered in black soot due to the industrial revolution, led the darker moths to better suit the environment

What is considered in the reproduction stage of natural selection?

Those organisms that compete most successfully will survive to breed and therefore pass on their genes to the next generation.

Give an example of the reproduction for a species

Peppered moth - the dark coloured moths were most successful, gene reproduced so offspring also had dark colour

What is considered in the adaption stage of natural selection?

This variation is now an adaption because it enables the organisms that posses it to cope with the selective pressures. This variation becomes dominant in the population.

Give an example of the adaption of an organisms

Pepperd moth - Dark coloured moth becomes dominant in the population since they are able to camouflage itself.

Define isolation

When a population becomes geographically isolated from another, becoming so different they are unable to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Define divergent evolution

Evolving from a common ancestor, the population becomes isolated, becoming different from eachother

Give an example of divergent evolution

The galapagos finches all evolved from a common ancestor (South american mainland)

Define convergent evolution

Organisms that come from different ancestors are exposed to similar environmental pressures and become similar to each other

Give an example on convergent evolution

The wolf and Tasmanian devil are exposed to similar environmental pressures and become similar to each other.

Define comparative embryology

The comparison of the developmental stages of the embryos of different species

Describe how comparative embryology supports the theory of evolution

Embryos of different vertebrate groups are similar in their early stages of development. This suggests a common ancestor of vertebrates.

What is paleontology

The fossil record shows a change from simple organisms in the older rocks to complex organisms in the younger rocks

What are transitional forms

Transitional forms have the characteristics of different organisms showing the transition from one group to another

How does palaeontology (fossil records) show support for the theory of evolution?

Fossils of human skulls have been found showing the various stages of transition between primates and humans. This provides support as we see gradual changes in a species over time.

How do transitional forms show support for the theorey of evolutuion?

Archeopteryx is similar to an extinct group of dinosaurs in many ways except it had feathers and a wish bone like a bird. This transitional form suggests a common ancestor for birds and reptiles.

Define comparative anatomy

Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the structure of living organisms.

Describe the evidence for comparative anatomy

Similarities that exist amongst groups of organisms suggest that these groups shared a common ancestor and have since evolved to become slightly different due to them specialising for their particular environment
(Homologous structure shows correlating bones and organs)

Define biogeography

The study of geographical distribution of organisms, both living and extinct

How does bio geography show evidence for evolution?

Organisms showing similarities have been found to exist on continents now separated by water, suggesting common ancestor.
Organisms also exhibited great differences with ones from other regions, supporting isolation and divergent evolution

Give an example of biogeography

Ratitates are flightless birds whom are believed to have all evolved from a common ancestor on Gondwana.

Define biochemical evidence?

Comparisons of sequences of chemicals such as: amino acids in proteins OR sequences of base pairs in DNA

How does biochemical evidence support the theory of evolution?

All organisms have the same basic chemistry:
Consists primarily of organic compounds
Share common genetic code
Rely on enzymes
Share membrane structure
Rely on respiration

Explain the significance of small bones with many joints

Allows flexible and ease of movements; acts as a good shock absorber

Explain the significance of Solid bones that are fused

Efficient support of body weight; confers strength

Explain the significance of Large bones/large extensions on bones

Provides sites for large muscle attachment

Explain the significance of light bones (containing spaces)

Keep light frame (Flight and speed)

Explain the significance of long bones

Gives good leverage, increase the stride of an animal

Explain the significnace of increased carpal and tarsal bones and lifting of hind end of heel off the ground

Animal walks up on digits - this increases stride and therefore speed.

Explain the significance of reduced number of digits (e.g. hooves etc.)

Reduced friction with the ground, increasing speed

Explain the significance of shortened proximal parts of limbs and held closer to body

Allows attachment and efficient functioning of powerful muscles

Define Gradualism

Gradualism is the theory of evolution proposed by Darwin-Wallace that assumes living things arose from a common ancestor and that change occurs over a slow, but continuous process.

Define punctuated equilibrium

Punctuated equilibrium was proposed by Stephan Gould in the 1970's whom proposed that evolution occurs in short bursts of rapid change, folllowed by long period of stability within populations

Which theory of evolution is Darwin-Wallace propose?

Gradualism

Which theory of evolution did Stephen Gould propose?

Punctuated equilibrium

Give an example of gradualism

Very gradually, over many, many, generation, stripes over the tigers' whole body formed and appeared in the whole population

Give an example of punctuated equilibrium

A long time ago, there were a lot of tigers-like-animals, but without stripes. One time, a genetic mutation occurred in a few of the animals, causing a huge change: they were born with stripes.