Unit 8: Evolution Test Review

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What is divergent evolution?

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Divergent evolution is the process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures, leading to the development of new species from a common ancestor.

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What is genetic equilibrium?

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Genetic equilibrium refers to a state in a population where allele frequencies remain constant over generations, meaning the population is not evolving.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are anatomical features that were functional in an ancestor but have lost their original function in a descendant species, such as the human appendix.

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What is the significance of homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, indicating evolutionary relationships, such as the forelimbs of humans and whales.

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What does natural selection mean?

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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.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species, often due to geographic, behavioral, or temporal isolation.

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What is the difference between gradualism and punctuated equilibrium?

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Gradualism is the theory that evolution occurs slowly and steadily, while punctuated equilibrium suggests that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.

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What is an example of convergent evolution?

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Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, such as the wings of bats and birds.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new genetic variation into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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Adaptive radiation is the rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor in response to new environmental opportunities.