Evolution: Concepts to Know

Mating dances, picking out the best male, delivering gifts, and males having the most ornamentation are examples of .... selective breeding gene pool variation sexual selection Organisms with the “best” traits (adaptations) will live longer and reproduce more than others. Darwin called this _. genetic equilibrium microevolution natural selection macroevolution A biological change in populations over time makes descendants genetically different from their ancestors is called _. evolution fitness gene flow variation Match the word with its example or definition. gene flow Movement of genes from one population to another; migration divergent evolution Plants or animals with a common ancestor have evolved into different species due to separation over time. convergent evolution Plants and animals that have similar structures because they live in the same type of environment. No common ancestor. fitness Can survive and reproduce: environment selects for coevolution Animals and plants in a symbiotic relationship evolve at the same time. gradualism Refers to speciation that occurs when an organism changes over long periods of time (i.e millions of years!). slowly punctuated equilibrium Rapid physiological and morphological changes of an organism, in evolutionary time, rapid change can be anywhere from 50,000-500,000 years or more. Artificial selection selective breeding Classify the following examples as divergent evolution, convergent evolution, and coevolution. Coevolution The ants provide the acacia plant with protection against other potentially damaging insects, as well as other plants which may compete for nutrients and sunlight. In return, the plant provides the ants with shelter and essential nutrients for the ants and their growing larvae The lion evolves to become faster in order to catch the prey zebra, the zebra also evolves to become faster in order to avoid being eaten. Convergent Flying lemurs and sugar gliders are closely related. However, their "wings" are analogous structures that evolved independently of one another. The grey wolves of Asia and Tasmanian wolves do not share a recent common ancestor but have similar traits because they fill the apex predator niche in their environments. Divergent The African elephants and Woolly mammoths, species have many similarities, but due to evolution the woolly mammoth evolved a thick fur coat to survive in colder temperatures. Chimps and gorillas share well over 90% of their DNA. This is because in the recent past they shared a common ancestor. Both species live in central Africa and have evolved into distinct species. Why is evolution best described as an editing process? It selects for individuals with traits not suited for the present environment It is random It selects for individuals with traits best suited for the future environment It selects for individuals with traits best suited for the current environment What is a homologous structure? A structure that is different in function due to environmental variables. A structure that is similar due to a common ancestor. A structure that is similar in function due to environmental variables. Which of the following statements about species is MOST accurate? Animals which do mate with each other or could mate with each other given the opportunity are members of the same species. Animals which become separated geographically become different species. Plants which cannot mate with each other because they are located too far apart are different species. Animals which look different are classified as different species.