Patterns of Evolution Quick Check

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What is Coevolution?

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Coevolution is the process where two or more species influence each other's evolutionary trajectory. An example is the relationship between flowering plants and their pollinators.

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What is Convergent Evolution?

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Convergent evolution occurs when different species develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures, despite having different ancestral origins. An example is the streamlined bodies of sharks and dolphins.

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What is Adaptive Radiation?

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Adaptive radiation is the evolution of an ancestral species into a variety of forms that occupy different ecological niches. An example is the diversification of cichlid fishes in the East African Rift.

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What is Speciation?

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Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It often occurs due to geographic isolation or environmental changes.

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What is a Mass Extinction?

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A mass extinction is an event in which a significant number of species from all over the earth suddenly go extinct, often due to catastrophic events.

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What is Divergent Evolution?

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Divergent evolution is the process where two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures. An example is the evolution of different species of mammals from a common ancestor.

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What is Punctuated Equilibrium?

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Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology that proposes that species remain relatively stable for long periods, interrupted by brief periods of rapid change.

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What is the significance of Fossil Records in Evolution?

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Fossil records provide evidence of past life forms and their evolution over time, helping scientists understand the history of life on Earth.

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What is Natural Selection?

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Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, leading to evolutionary changes.

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What is the role of Genetic Drift in Evolution?

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Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, which can lead to significant changes over time.