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Evolution
Flash Cards that were created from our class material.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the biological definition of 'diversity'? | The variety of organisms that inhabit the Earth. |
| How is 'evolution' defined in a biological context? | The gradual change in species over time. |
| Term: Natural Selection | The process where individuals better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. |
| What is an 'adaptation'? | A behavior or physical characteristic that allows an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment. |
| Who was the British naturalist that formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection? | Charles Darwin |
| In evolutionary biology, what is 'variation'? | Any difference between organisms of the same species. |
| What term describes the disappearance of all members of a species from Earth? | Extinction |
| What are 'missing links' in the context of evolutionary history? | Gaps in the fossil record. |
| Define 'homologous structures'. | Similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor. |
| What are 'fossils'? | The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past. |
| Term: Radioactive Dating | A process using the half-life of chemicals in rocks or fossils to determine their age. |
| What is the primary cause of mutations in a cell? | Mistakes made when DNA makes a copy of itself. |
| How do adaptations arise in a population? | Adaptations arise from mutations in the DNA of an organism. |
| According to the 'survival of the fittest' concept, what does it mean to be 'fit'? | To be well adapted to 'fit' the specific environment. |
| What percentage of all organisms that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct? | 99% |
| Which group of birds on the Galapagos Islands did Charles Darwin observe to formulate his theory? | Finches |
| What specific bone structures are shared by bird wings, dolphin fins, and human arms? | Humerus, radius, and ulna. |
| According to scientific estimates, how old is the Earth? | 4.6 billion years old. |
| How do scientists determine the age of a fossil using nearby rocks? | By analyzing the half-life of chemicals contained in those rocks. |
| What does similar DNA between two different species suggest about their relationship? | They may share a more recent common ancestor. |
| A mutation is an alteration in DNA that can lead to a _____ change. | Phenotypic |
| What are the three possible outcomes of a mutation for an organism's survival? | Negative change, positive change, or no change at all. |
| Under what condition does a mutation become an adaptation within a population? | When the change is positive and becomes widespread because it helps organisms survive. |
| What drives evolution? | Natural selection. |
| The variety of organisms that inhabit our planet is called its _____. | Diversity |
| What is the complementary DNA strand for the sequence ATCGATGCA? | TAGCTACGT |
| Why are the elephant and elephant shrew considered more closely related than either is to a mouse? | They share more similarities in their DNA sequences. |
| What biological feature of an owl acts as an adaptation for hunting? | Large eyes for seeing in the dark. |
| How does a bird's beak shape relate to its environment? | The shape determines which types of food the bird can successfully eat. |
| What environmental change caused the white peppered moth population to decline during the Industrial Revolution? | Soot covered the tree trunks, making white moths easier for predators to see. |
| What was the beneficial adaptation for moths living on soot-covered trees? | Dark or brown coloration for camouflage. |
| Why might a drought that turns leaves brown favor a beetle with a brown exoskeleton mutation? | The brown color provides camouflage against the dead foliage, increasing survival. |
| How can multiple species of birds live in the same area without starving? | They have different adaptations, such as beak shapes, to utilize different food sources. |
| What purpose do the stripes on a zebra serve as an adaptation? | They help confuse predators when the zebras travel in large groups. |
| Concept: Plant Cuticle | Adaptation: A thick layer that helps plants in dry environments retain water. |
| How do the ears and noses of bats demonstrate adaptation? | Large ears and aerodynamic noses help their high-pitched screeches reach their ears easily. |
| What likely led to the extinction of giant woolly mammoths as the climate warmed? | Their thick fur and blubber were no longer suited for a warmer environment. |
| In a population of salmon, having different fin sizes is an example of _____. | Variation |
| A cheetah's springy backbone allows it to catch more food; this is an example of _____. | Survival of the fittest |
| Where are fossils typically found that resemble modern organisms compared to those that look like ancient ones? | Modern-looking fossils are found in upper layers, while ancient ones are deeper. |
| Why does evolution depend on mutation? | Mutations are the only way that new traits are created in a population. |
| What do similar bone structures in a whale flipper and a human arm indicate? | The species evolved from a common ancestor. |
| How did unique food sources on different Galapagos islands affect finch evolution? | Populations developed beak shapes specifically suited for the available food on their island. |
| What is the primary objective of studying whale evolution through the fossil record? | To trace how modern whales evolved from land-dwelling ancestors. |
| The random events that occur during reproduction and in the environment are represented by what in the 'Building Beasts' activity? | A roll of the dice. |
| What is 'coevolution'? | When two or more species evolve in response to changes in each other. |
| How does a mutation of white fur help a polar bear? | It allows the bear to adapt to a snowy environment through camouflage. |
| What happens to individuals in a population that do not possess necessary survival traits? | They are more likely to die off before reproducing. |
| The process of 'survival of the fittest' ensures that _____ traits are passed to the next generation. | Beneficial (or 'good') |
| What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution? | Natural selection is the mechanism that drives the process of evolution. |
| In the 'Funky Monkey' activity, what does an 'angel' in paradise represent? | A monkey that has died and left the active population. |
| What determines if an organism is 'endangered'? | When its population is so small that it is at risk of extinction. |
| How can an environmental change cause a group to become more populous? | If the change makes their specific traits more beneficial for survival. |
| Evolution is the _____ change in species over time. | Gradual |
| What allowed Darwin to see variations among the same species of birds? | Comparing finches from different islands in the Galapagos. |
| A change in the DNA of an organism is called a _____. | Mutation |
| What evidence do fossils provide about Earth's history? | They help create a picture of the diversity of life that has existed on the planet. |
| What does the bone structure of a dog's leg reveal about its ancestry? | It is related to other species with similar homologous structures like humans or birds. |
| Why is 'fit' a relative term in evolution? | An organism is only 'fit' if its traits match its specific environment. |
| The process by which humans arms, bird wings, and dolphin fins became similar is due to inheritance from a _____ _____. | Common ancestor |
| What role does the 'half-life' of chemicals play in dating fossils? | It provides a predictable rate of decay to estimate the age of the sample. |
| How does a chameleon's ability to blend in affect its reproduction? | Camouflage helps it survive longer, allowing more opportunities to reproduce. |
| Mutation: DNA change | Evolution: Species change |
| What is the primary function of the humerus, radius, and ulna in various mammals? | They serve as the skeletal framework for forelimbs, adapted for different uses like flying or swimming. |
| Why is it important for a mutation to be 'positive' for it to lead to an adaptation? | Only positive mutations improve survival chances and get passed to offspring. |
| What happens to the frequency of a beneficial trait in a population over many generations? | It becomes more abundant or widespread. |
| What defines a 'species' in the context of variation? | A group of similar organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring. |
| In the beetle example, if the forest stays brown for generations, what color will the population eventually become? | Brown. |
| Which scientific method provides the most accurate estimate for the age of very old rocks? | Radioactive dating. |
| How are homologous structures different from adaptations? | Homologous structures show common ancestry, while adaptations are specific traits for current survival. |
| Why is the fossil record considered incomplete? | Because there are 'missing links' or gaps where no fossils have been found. |
| What is the result when an organism successfully 'fits' its environment? | It lives a long life and passes its traits to the next generation. |
| Describe a behavioral adaptation mentioned in the sources. | Zebras traveling in large groups to confuse predators. |
| Describe a physical adaptation mentioned in the sources. | The springy, flexible backbone of a cheetah. |
| How can DNA analysis complement the study of fossils? | It provides molecular evidence of relationships that physical structures might not fully show. |
| The wing of a bat and the flipper of a whale are examples of _____ structures. | Homologous |
| What is the ultimate source of all genetic variation in a population? | Mutation. |
| If an organism's DNA sequence is CATTAACGG, what is the sequence of its closest relative in the provided mouse/elephant example? | CGTTAAGCC (Elephant shrew). |
| What drives the change in beak shape of Galapagos finches over long periods? | Natural selection based on available food sources. |
| Term: Survival of the Fittest | The idea that individuals with the best-suited traits for their environment will survive and reproduce. |
| Why would a polar bear not survive well in a brown forest? | Its white fur mutation is an adaptation for snow, not for camouflaging in trees. |
| Fossils found in deeper rock layers are generally _____ than those found in upper layers. | Older |
| What is the main purpose of the 'Funky Monkey' activity? | To demonstrate the process of evolution through natural selection. |
| How do scientists use homologous structures to determine relationships? | By comparing bone structures to see if species share a common ancestor. |
| Which naturalist ventured to the Galapagos Islands? | Charles Darwin. |
| What is the relationship between 'fit' and 'adaptation'? | Being 'fit' means an organism has the right adaptations for its specific environment. |
| A gap in the fossil record is known as a _____ _____. | Missing link |
| Natural selection is often called 'survival of the _____'. | Fittest |
| In radioactive dating, scientists look at the _____ of chemicals. | Half-life |
| What does a phenotypic change refer to? | A change in the observable physical or behavioral characteristics of an organism. |
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