Unit 6: Evolution Review

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

Front

What is a common ancestor?

Back

A common ancestor is an ancestral species from which two or more species have evolved.

Front

What is genetic drift?

Back

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

Front

What is the founder effect?

Back

The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals becomes isolated from a larger population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Front

What is the bottleneck effect?

Back

The bottleneck effect is a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Front

What is gene flow?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of amino acid sequences in evolution?

Back

Amino acid sequences can indicate evolutionary relationships between species, as similarities suggest a common ancestor.

Front

What is the role of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new traits into a population, potentially leading to evolution.

Front

What is non-random mating?

Back

Non-random mating occurs when individuals select mates based on specific traits, affecting allele frequencies in a population.

Front

How does natural selection lead to adaptation?

Back

Natural selection leads to adaptation by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment.