Mechanisms of Evolution Flashcard

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What is evolution?

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The process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.

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What is the purpose of mutations in evolution?

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To increase biodiversity in a population.

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What are mutations?

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Changes in the genetic material of a cell, leading to new alleles in a population.

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What is the founder effect?

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A change in allele frequencies as a result of the migration of a small subgroup of a population.

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What is gene flow?

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The movement of alleles from one population to another.

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What is natural selection?

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The process by which organisms that are most suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully.

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What is genetic drift?

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Random changes in allele frequency caused by chance occurrences.

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What is adaptation?

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A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is speciation?

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The process by which new species arise from existing species.

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What is a population?

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A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.