What contributes to an organism’s fitness?
- Mutations
- Genetic diversity
- Adaptations
These factors enhance an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
What is the difference between natural and artificial selection?
- Natural selection occurs naturally in the environment
- Artificial selection is human-directed breeding
Both processes influence the evolution of species but operate under different mechanisms.
What are the types of mutations?
- Beneficial
- Harmful
- Neutral
Mutations create new genetic information and add diversity to species.
How does artificial selection affect genetic diversity?
It reduces overall genetic diversity
This reduction contributes to the loss of biodiversity.
How do fossils provide evidence of evolution?
- Show progression of complexity
- Indicate historical life forms
Fossils help trace the evolutionary history of organisms.
What are homologous features?
Structures that share a common ancestry
They provide evidence for evolution through shared traits among different species.
What types of evidence support the theory of evolution?
- Biogeography
- Embryonic development patterns
- Homologous organs
- Analogous structures
- Vestigial features
These elements illustrate the connections and adaptations of species over time.
What is the role of competition for resources in evolution?
It is necessary for evolution to occur
Competition drives natural selection by favoring individuals with advantageous traits.
What are the five observations by Darwin regarding natural selection?
- Populations produce more offspring than survive
- Populations do not continue to grow in size
- Food and resources are limited
- Individuals in populations vary
- Many variations are heritable
These observations form the basis for understanding natural selection.
What are the four types of natural selection?
- Directional
- Stabilizing
- Disruptive
- Sexual selection
Each type describes different patterns of trait selection in populations.
What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?
- Mating is random
- No immigration or emigration
- No natural or artificial selection
- No mutation
- Population is relatively large
This principle describes conditions under which allele frequencies remain constant.
What is adaptive radiation?
The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor
An example is the diversification of Darwin’s finches.
Define speciation.
The process by which new species arise
It can occur through mechanisms like allopatric and sympatric speciation.
What is the founder effect?
A form of genetic drift that occurs when a small group establishes a new population
This can lead to reduced genetic variation.
What is bottleneck in genetic drift?
A sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events
This can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.
How do human activities affect evolution?
- Habitat destruction
- Agriculture
- Development
These activities can alter selective pressures and impact species survival.
