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Evolution
NYS Biology Regents (NYSSLS)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Common Ancestry | The idea that all living organisms descended from shared ancestors. Common ancestry explains why all living things share fundamental molecular and cellular similarities. |
| Biological Evolution | The change in heritable traits of populations over time. Biological evolution occurs gradually as favorable traits become more common in populations across generations. |
| Empirical Evidence | Information obtained through observation and experimentation. Empirical evidence from fossils, DNA analysis, and direct observation supports the theory of evolution. |
| DNA Sequences | The order of nucleotides in DNA molecules. DNA sequences provide molecular evidence for evolutionary relationships between different species. |
| Anatomical Structures | Physical body parts and their organization. Anatomical structures reveal evolutionary relationships through similarities in bone structure and organ arrangement. |
| Embryological Development | The process of growth and development from embryo to adult. Embryological development shows evolutionary connections as related species share similar early developmental stages. |
| Scientific Theory | A well-substantiated explanation supported by extensive evidence. The scientific theory of evolution unifies observations from many fields including genetics, paleontology, and biogeography. |
| Genetic Information | Information stored in DNA that provides evidence of evolutionary relationships. Genetic information reveals the degree of relatedness between species and traces evolutionary history. |
| Branching | The pattern of evolutionary relationships showing how species diverged from common ancestors. Branching diagrams illustrate how new species split off from ancestral species over evolutionary time. |
| Amino Acid Sequences | The order of amino acids in proteins, which can show evolutionary relationships. Amino acid sequences in similar proteins become more different as species diverge further from common ancestors. |
| Natural Selection | The process by which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Natural selection acts on genetic variation to increase the frequency of beneficial traits in populations. |
| Heritable Genetic Variation | Differences in genetic traits that can be passed to offspring. Heritable genetic variation provides the raw material upon which natural selection can act to drive evolution. |
| Mutation | Changes in DNA that create genetic variation. Mutation introduces new genetic variants that may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to organism survival. |
| Sexual Reproduction | Reproduction involving two parents that increases genetic variation. Sexual reproduction shuffles genetic material from two parents, creating offspring with unique trait combinations. |
| Competition for Resources | The struggle between organisms for limited materials needed for survival. Competition for resources like food, water, and mates drives natural selection by favoring more efficient individuals. |
| Survival and Reproduction | The ability of organisms to live long enough to produce offspring. Survival and reproduction determine evolutionary success by passing advantageous traits to future generations. |
| Adaptation | The process by which populations become better suited to their environment. Adaptation results from natural selection favoring individuals whose traits help them survive in specific conditions. |
| Advantageous Heritable Trait | A genetic characteristic that improves an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. Advantageous heritable traits become more common in populations because they help organisms succeed in their environment. |
| Differential Survival | The difference in survival rates between organisms with different traits. Differential survival occurs when some individuals live longer than others due to their inherited characteristics. |
| Differential Reproduction | The difference in reproductive success between organisms with different traits. Differential reproduction means that individuals with favorable traits tend to produce more offspring than others. |
| Morphology | The form and structure of organisms. Morphology provides evidence for evolution as related species share similar body plans and structural features. |
| Physiology | The biological functions and processes of organisms. Physiology reveals evolutionary relationships through similarities in how related species carry out life processes. |
| Gene Frequency | The proportion of a particular gene variant in a population. Gene frequency changes over time as natural selection favors certain genetic variants over others. |
| Biotic Differences | Living factors in ecosystems that contribute to natural selection. Biotic differences like predators, competitors, and prey create selective pressures that shape evolutionary outcomes. |
| Abiotic Differences | Non-living factors in ecosystems that contribute to natural selection. Abiotic differences such as temperature, rainfall, and soil chemistry influence which traits are advantageous. |
| Seasonal Temperature | Regular changes in temperature that affect organism survival. Seasonal temperature variations select for traits that help organisms survive both hot summers and cold winters. |
| Long-term Climate Change | Extended changes in weather patterns that influence evolution. Long-term climate change creates new selective pressures that can drive rapid evolutionary adaptations. |
| Geographic Barriers | Physical features that separate populations and affect evolution. Geographic barriers like mountains and rivers can isolate populations, leading to the evolution of new species. |
| Evolution of Other Organisms | Changes in other species that affect natural selection pressures. Evolution of other organisms creates changing selective pressures as predators, prey, and competitors also evolve. |
| Population Dominated | A group where most individuals share advantageous traits. Populations become dominated by individuals with favorable traits through the continuous action of natural selection. |
| Anatomically Well Suited | Having body structures that help survival in a specific environment. Organisms that are anatomically well suited to their environment have body parts perfectly adapted for their lifestyle. |
| Behaviorally Well Suited | Having behaviors that improve survival and reproduction. Animals that are behaviorally well suited to their environment exhibit instincts and learned behaviors that enhance survival. |
| Physiologically Well Suited | Having body functions that work well in a specific environment. Organisms that are physiologically well suited have internal processes optimized for their particular habitat conditions. |
| Proportion of Individuals | The fraction of a population that has a particular trait. The proportion of individuals with advantageous traits increases over generations through natural selection. |
| Future Generations | Offspring that inherit traits from their parents. Future generations receive a higher frequency of favorable traits as natural selection acts on their parents. |
| Environmental Conditions | The physical and biological factors that affect organisms. Environmental conditions determine which traits are advantageous and drive the direction of natural selection. |
| Deforestation | The removal of forests that changes habitats. Deforestation forces species to adapt to new conditions or face population decline and possible extinction. |
| Fishing | Human activity that affects aquatic species populations. Intensive fishing can select for smaller fish sizes as larger individuals are preferentially removed from populations. |
| Introduction of Invasive Species | Adding non-native organisms that disrupt ecosystems. Introduction of invasive species creates new competitive pressures that can drive native species toward extinction. |
| Application of Fertilizers | Using chemicals that change soil and water conditions. Application of fertilizers alters nutrient availability, affecting which plant species can successfully compete. |
| Drought | Extended periods without sufficient water. Drought conditions select for organisms with adaptations that help them conserve or efficiently use water. |
| Flood | Excessive water that changes environmental conditions. Flood events can eliminate individuals that lack adaptations for surviving in waterlogged conditions. |
| Rate of Change | How quickly environmental conditions alter. Rapid rates of environmental change can outpace a species' ability to adapt, leading to population decline. |
| Distribution of Traits | How characteristics are spread throughout populations. The distribution of traits in populations reflects the balance between genetic variation and natural selection. |
| Disappearance of Traits | The loss of certain characteristics from populations. Disappearance of traits occurs when environmental changes make previously advantageous characteristics harmful. |
| Physical Environment | The non-living conditions where organisms live. Changes in the physical environment create new selective pressures that can drive evolutionary adaptations. |
| Naturally Occurring Changes | Environmental changes that happen without human influence. Naturally occurring changes like volcanic eruptions and ice ages have driven major evolutionary transitions throughout history. |
| Human Induced Changes | Environmental alterations caused by people. Human induced changes are happening rapidly and forcing many species to adapt quickly or face extinction. |
| Expansion of Some Species | Population growth of organisms in favorable conditions. Expansion of some species occurs when environmental changes create new opportunities for growth and reproduction. |
| Emergence of New Distinct Species | The formation of new species through evolution. Emergence of new distinct species happens when populations become reproductively isolated and evolve different traits. |
| Populations Diverge | When groups of the same species develop different traits. Populations diverge when they experience different environmental conditions that favor different adaptations. |
| Different Conditions | Varying environmental factors that drive evolution. Different conditions in separate habitats lead to the evolution of distinct adaptations in isolated populations. |
| Decline of Species | Reduction in population numbers. Decline of species occurs when environmental changes make survival and reproduction more difficult. |
| Extinction of Species | The complete loss of a species. Extinction of species represents the ultimate failure to adapt to environmental changes. |
| Altered Environment | Changed conditions that affect organism survival. Species must adapt to altered environments or risk population decline and eventual extinction. |
| Members Cannot Adjust | When individuals cannot adapt to environmental changes. Members cannot adjust when the rate of environmental change exceeds their capacity for evolutionary adaptation. |
| Change Too Fast or Drastic | Environmental alterations that occur too quickly for adaptation. Change that is too fast or drastic eliminates species before they can evolve appropriate responses. |
| Opportunity for Evolution | The chance for species to develop new traits through natural selection. The opportunity for evolution is lost when environmental changes eliminate entire populations before adaptation occurs. |
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