Term | Definition |
Complementary Base Pairing | The pair of nitrogenous bases that connects the complementary strands of DNA or of double-stranded RNA |
Convergent evolution | convergent evolution is the process whereby organisms not closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches |
Divergent Evolution | Divergent evolution is the accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species |
Deoxyribonucleic Acid | deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. |
Double helix | a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis, especially that in the structure of the DNA molecule. |
Evolutionary Change | a gradual change in the characteristics of a population of animals or plants over successive generations |
Gene Flow | is the transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another. |
Genetic Drift | variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a small population, owing to the chance disappearance of particular genes as individuals die or do not reproduce. |
Gradual Change Model | A model that shows that change happens really slowly over long periods of time |
Mutation | the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA |
Natural Selection | the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring |
Nitrogenous Base | A nitrogenous base is simply a nitrogen containing molecule that has the same chemical properties as a base |
Non-random mating | Nonrandom mating occurs when the probability that two individuals in a population will mate is not the same for all possible pairs of individuals. |
Punctuated Equilibrium Model | the hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change. |
Speciation | the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution. |
Sugar-Phosphate Backbone | The sugar phosphate backbone is an important stuctural component of DNA. It consists of 5-carbon deoxyribose sugars and phosphate groups |