Unit 7 Evolution Part 1

Question 1

allele frequency

Answer 1

The proportion of a specific allele among all alleles of a given gene in a population.

Question 2

artificial selection

Answer 2

The selective breeding of organisms by humans to enhance desired traits.

Question 3

bottleneck effect

Answer 3

A form of genetic drift that occurs when a population is drastically reduced in size, causing a loss of genetic variation.

Question 4

directional selection

Answer 4

A type of natural selection that favors individuals at one extreme of a trait distribution.

Question 5

diversifying selection

Answer 5

A type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution, increasing variation.

Question 6

evolutionary fitness

Answer 6

The reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population, often measured by the number of viable offspring produced.

Question 7

fixed allele

Answer 7

An allele that has reached a frequency of 100% in a population, meaning all individuals carry it.

Question 8

founder effect

Answer 8

A type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, resulting in reduced genetic variation.

Question 9

gene flow

Answer 9

The transfer of alleles between populations due to the movement of individuals or gametes.

Question 10

gene pool

Answer 10

The total collection of all alleles present in a population at a given time.

Question 11

genetic drift

Answer 11

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population due to chance events, especially in small populations.

Question 12

natural selection

Answer 12

A mechanism of evolution in which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 13

sexual dimorphism

Answer 13

Differences in physical traits between males and females of the same species beyond reproductive organs.

Question 14

stabilizing selection

Answer 14

A type of natural selection that favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation.

Question 15

vestigial organs

Answer 15

Structures that have little or no current function but are remnants of ancestral structures.