Evolution Vocab

Front

What is a prezygotic isolating mechanism?

Back

A reproductive barrier that prevents fertilization from occurring, making it unlikely for different species to mate.

Front

What is camouflage?

Back

An animal's natural coloring or form that enables it to blend in with its surroundings, helping it avoid predators.

Front

What is disruptive selection?

Back

A type of natural selection where individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution have higher fitness than those in the middle.

Front

What does fitness mean in an evolutionary context?

Back

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Front

What is artificial selection?

Back

The selective breeding of plants and animals to promote the occurrence of desirable traits in offspring.

Front

What is allopatric speciation?

Back

The formation of new species due to geographic isolation, preventing interbreeding.

Front

What is mimicry?

Back

A phenomenon where one species evolves to resemble another species for protection or advantage.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is stabilizing selection?

Back

A type of natural selection that favors average individuals in a population, reducing variation.

Front

What is the founder effect?

Back

A genetic phenomenon that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.