Evolution/Natural Selection

Front

What is the founder effect?

Back

The founder effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity and different allele frequencies compared to the original population.

Front

Give an example of the founder effect.

Back

A small group of iguanas floats to an island and starts a new population.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits well suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate than those without such traits.

Front

What are adaptations?

Back

Adaptations are structures or behaviors that help an organism survive in its surroundings.

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

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.

Front

Which organisms are most closely related to sharks according to a cladogram?

Back

Ray-finned fish.

Front

What is the significance of amino acid differences in proteins?

Back

Amino acid differences in proteins, such as Cytochrome C, can indicate evolutionary relationships among species.

Front

List the four closest human relatives based on biochemical comparisons.

Back

Chimpanzee, gorilla, rhesus monkey, horse.

Front

What is an inherited trait?

Back

An inherited trait is a characteristic that is passed from parents to offspring through genes.

Front

What is the role of competition in natural selection?

Back

Competition for limited resources can lead to natural selection, as organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.