Bio L3 Speciation Word Scramble
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Term | Definition |
adaptation | An inherited structural, behavioural or physiological trait which increases an organism’s fitness |
adaptive radiation | Relatively sudden appearance of new forms from single ancestral type to fill a variety of niches. |
allele | One of the two (or more) forms of a gene for a trait. |
allele frequency | The proportion of a particular allele in the gene pool of a population (as a %). |
allopatric speciation | Speciation involving a period of geographic separation. |
allopolyploidy | Polyploidy involving the hybrid offspring of two species. |
amphiploidy | When a fertile individual results from chromosome doubling in the hybrid offspring of two different species. |
analogous structures | Structures which are used for the same purpose, but which have a different structure and origin; e.g. wings of insects and birds (contrast: homologous structures). |
autopolyploidy | Polyploidy involving a single species. |
behavioural barrier | Differences in courtship behaviour, causing reproductive isolation. |
biogeography | The study of the geographical distribution of living things. |
bottleneck effect | A reduction in genetic diversity in a gene pool when a population is reduced to small number of individuals. |
chromosome mutation | A mutation which involves multiple genes on a chromosome (by duplication, deletion, insertion or translocation of a chromosome section) |
cline | A gradual change in the traits of a species over a geographical gradient. |
co-evolution | When two species influence each other’s evolution. A change in one species acts as a strong selection pressure for change in the other species. |
common ancestor | Original species from which others develop through divergent evolution |
competition | When organisms living in the same location require the same (finite) resource. |
continental drift | The gradual movement and formation of continents, resulting from the movement of tectonic plates. |
convergent evolution | Occurs when similar features evolve in unrelated species as a result of similar selection pressures e.g. streamlined body shape in dolphins and fish |
deme | A local interbreeding population of a species. |
directional selection | Selection in which organisms in one end of the range of variation are favoured. |
disruptive selection | Selection in which organisms at both ends of the range of variation are favoured. |
divergent evolution | When one species evolves into two. |
ecological barrier | Differences in habitat that prevent different species interbreeding. |
endemic species | Species restricted to one area only (e.g. endemic to N.Z.) |
evolution | Changes in a gene pool over successive generations. |
extinction | Occurs when all members of a species die out. |
fitness | The relative ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in an environment. |
fossil record | All fossils and their relative locations in layers of rock. Provides useful information about evolution. |
fossils | Preserved remains or traces of organisms which lived in the past. |
founder effect | Random changes to a gene pool resulting from a small number of individuals establishing a new population. |
frameshift | When an insertion or deletion changes the ‘reading frame’ of triplets in a DNA sequence (changing the amino acids coded for) |
gene flow | Exchange of alleles between populations by immigration and emigration. |
gene mutation | A change to the base sequence within a gene (by insertion, deletion or substitution) |
gene pool | The collective alleles of all members of a population. |
genetic drift | Random changes in the allele frequencies. The effects are greatest in small populations. |
genetic equilibrium | The allele frequencies in a population are static over time because the evolutionary forces acting upon the alleles are equal (this is very rare!) |
geographic barrier | A physical barrier that isolates populations and prevents gene flow. |
glacial period | Cooler period in which sea water becomes ‘locked up’ as ice and sea levels fall, exposing new areas of land. |
Gondwana | The southern super-continent which existed from about 180 mya and from which NZ separated about 80 mya |
gradualism | When the accumulation of changes resulting in speciation occurs slowly and steadily (contrast: punctuated equilibrium). |
homologous structures | Structures which have the same origin, but different functions (contrast: analogous structures). |
hybrid | The offspring from a cross between two different species. |
hybrid breakdown | The first generation (hybrid) may be fertile, but the second generation are infertile or not viable. |
hybrid inviability | A sperm and egg from different species fuse, but the resulting hybrid individual does not develop successfully. |
hybrid sterility | The hybrid is sterile (cannot reproduce). |
Interglacial period | Warmer period in which rising temperatures melt ice and sea levels rise, isolating areas of land as islands |
introduced species | A species that does not naturally occur in a given area, but has been introduced to it by humans. |
macroevolution | Large changes in a gene pool over a long period of time; e.g. the formation of a new species, extinction, adaptive radiation, etc |
mass extinction | When a large number of species and major groups of organisms disappear over a relatively short time. |
microevolution | Changes in the allele frequencies a gene pool over successive generations. |
molecular biology | The branch of biology that involves or applies the study of DNA, RNA and proteins. |
mutation | A sudden, permanent change in the DNA of an organism (could affect a gene, chromosome or sets of chromosomes). |
native species | A species that naturally occurs in a given area. |
natural selection | The process in which individuals in a population which are best suited to the environment are more likely to survive and produce offspring. |
niche | The role of a species in its habitat (remember FAHA!). |
non-disjunction | The failure of chromosomes to separate normally during the process meiosis. Leads to gametes and offspring with chromosome numbers different to those of the parents. |
parallel evolution | The development of similar characteristics in separate but related evolutionary lineages through the action of similar selection pressures. |
plate tectonics | The large-scale movement of tectonic plates, which contributes to continental drift. |
polyploidy | Having three or more complete sets of chromosomes. The major types are allopolyploidy and autopolyploidy. |
population | A group of organisms of the same species living in the same location. |
post-zygotic isolating mechanism | Reproductive isolation after successful development of a zygote (fertilisation). |
pre-zygotic isolating mechanism | Reproductive isolation prior to fertilisation. |
punctuated equilibrium | When there are long periods of little change in a species, punctuated (i.e. interrupted) by short bursts of rapid change usually associated with speciation (contrast: gradualism) |
reproductive isolating mechanism (RIM) | Any factor which prevents breeding between groups of individuals |
ring species | A special type of cline where the demes (local populations) are arranged in a circle across the species range, and the demes at the ends, although adjacent, may be unable to interbreed. |
selection pressure | The strength of natural selection for or against a particular trait. |
sequential evolution | When a species changes so much over time that is classified as a new species (no divergence has occured) |
speciation | The process of forming distinct new biological species. |
species | A group of organisms that normally interbreed in nature to produce fertile offspring. |
stabilising selection | Selection against organisms at the extreme ends of the range of variation. |
stasis | A period of little or no evolutionary change in a species |
structural barrier | Differences between the reproductive structures of different groups or species which prevent sperm transfer. |
subspecies | Populations of a species which are genetically different but capable of interbreeding successfully where their ranges overlap. |
sympatric speciation | Speciation not involving a period of geographical separation. |
temporal barrier | Two species are active or reproduce at different times, preventing mating. |
variation | Differences between individuals (e.g. in phenotypes). The raw material on which selection acts. |
vestigial organ | An organ that was once useful in an animal’s evolutionary past, but now has no apparent function e.g. wings on many flightless birds. |
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