Chapter 5: Evolution

Question 1

Species Diversity

Answer 1

The number of different species.

Question 2

Genetic Diversity

Answer 2

Amount of variation in inherited traits between individuals of the same species.

Question 3

Taxonomy

Answer 3

The science of classification according to the inferred relationships among organisms.

Question 4

Binomial Nomenclature

Answer 4

A method of naming organisms by using two names - the genus and the species name. Scientific names are italicized.

Question 5

Genus

Answer 5

The first part of a binomial name; a genus includes several species.

Question 6

Species

Answer 6

A group of organisms that look alike and can interbreed under antural conditions to produce fertile offspring.

Question 7

Taxa

Answer 7

Categories used to classify organisms.

Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species

Question 8

Protista

Answer 8

Eukaryotic organisms that lack a cell wall.

Question 9

Monera

Answer 9

In a five-kingdom system, a kingdom that include organisms that are prokaryotic.

Question 10

Archaebacteria

Answer 10

A six-kingdom system, a kingdom consisting of prokaryotic microorganisms distinct from eubacteria that possess a cell wall not containing peptidoglycan and that live in harsh environments such as salt lakes and thermal vents.

Question 11

Eubacteria

Answer 11

In a six-kingdom system, a kingdom consisting of prokaryotic microorganisms that possess a peptidoglycan cell wall. Live everywhere.

Question 12

Phylogeny

Answer 12

The history of the evolution of a species or a group of organisms.

*Phylogenetic tree is used to represent.

Question 13

Dichotomous Key

Answer 13

A two-part key used to identify living things.

Question 14

Paleontology

Answer 14

The study of fossils.`

Question 15

Radiometric Dating

Answer 15

A technique used to determine the age of a rock or fossil. Measured in units of half-lives which is the amount of time it takes for half the sample of an isotope to decay and become stable.

Question 16

Biogeography

Answer 16

the study of the geographic distribution of life on Earth.

Question 17

Endemic

Answer 17

A term used to describe a species that is found in one location only.

Question 18

Homologous Features

Answer 18

Features with similar structures but different functions. That are signs of evolutionary similarities.

Question 19

Analogous Features

Answer 19

Features that are similar in appearance and function, but do not appear to have the same evolutionary origin.

Question 20

Vestigial Features

Answer 20

Rudimentary structures with no useful function. Are a sign of evolutionary similarities.

Question 21

DNA

Answer 21

The molecule that makes up genetic material.

Question 22

Gene

Answer 22

A segment of DNA that preforms a specific function, such as coding for a particular protein.

Question 23

Artificial Selection

Answer 23

The process of humans selecting and breeding individuals with the desired traits.

Question 24

Spontaneous Generation

Answer 24

The belief that living things arose from non-living matter.

Question 25

Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

Answer 25

The false concept of inheritance of features acquired during the life of an individual.

Question 26

Natural Selection

Answer 26

The result of differential reproductive success of indiviuduals caused by variations in their inherited characteristics.

Question 27

Mutation

Answer 27

A change in the DNA sequence in a chromosome.

Question 28

Neutral Mutation

Answer 28

A mutation that has no effect on the organism.

Question 29

Fitness

Answer 29

An organism's reproductive success.

Question 30

Harmful Mutation

Answer 30

A mutation that reduces an organism's fitness.

Question 31

Beneficial Mutation

Answer 31

A mutation that enhances an organism's fitness.

Question 32

Asexual reproduction

Answer 32

The production of offspring from a single parent; offspring inherit the genes of that parent only.

Question 33

Siblings

Answer 33

Offspring from the same parent in both asexual and sexual reproduction.

Question 34

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 34

The production of offspring by the union of sex cells from two different parents; the offspring inherit a combination of genes from both parents.

Question 35

Gene Pool

Answer 35

All the genes in a certain population.

Question 36

Speciation

Answer 36

The formation of new species.

Question 37

Allopatric Speciation

Answer 37

Speciation by reproductive isolation.

Question 38

Theory of Gradualism

Answer 38

The idea that speciation takes place slowly.

Question 39

Theory of Punctuated Equilibrium

Answer 39

The idea that species evolve rapidly, followed by a period of little or no change.

Question 40

Divergent Evolution

Answer 40

Evolution into many different species.

Question 41

Convergent Evolution

Answer 41

The process whereby distantly related organisms independantly evolve similar traits to adapt to similar necessities.