Semester 1 Exam 2024 (Part 2 of 3)

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What is a cladogram?

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A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

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What does it mean when species are described as 'least related' in a cladogram?

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It means that the species share a more distant common ancestor compared to other species in the cladogram, indicating less genetic similarity.

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What is the significance of genetic variation in a population?

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Genetic variation is important for the adaptability and survival of a population, as it allows for a greater range of traits that can be selected for or against by natural selection.

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What is the Founder Effect?

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The Founder Effect is an evolutionary phenomenon that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity compared to the original population.

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How does natural selection influence evolution?

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Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of species over time.

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What is the relationship between body length and eye span in stalk-eyed flies?

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Researching this relationship can help determine if changes in eye span are correlated with changes in body length, which may provide insights into evolutionary adaptations.

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What evidence supports the idea that horses evolved over time?

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Fossil records and comparative anatomy show gradual changes in horse species, indicating a slow evolutionary process rather than sudden appearances of new species.

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What is gene flow?

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Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations, which can increase genetic diversity and reduce differences between populations.

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What role do mutations play in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of survival.

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What is the importance of studying embryological development in evolutionary biology?

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Studying embryological development can reveal similarities between species that suggest common ancestry and help understand evolutionary relationships.