Evolution Review

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What is co-evolution?

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Co-evolution is the process where two or more species influence each other's evolutionary trajectory. An example is the relationship between the rough-skinned newt and garter snakes, where the newt's toxin and the snake's resistance evolve in response to each other.

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What is evolution?

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Evolution is the change in a population over time that descends from a common ancestor. It explains how species adapt and diversify.

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What does a common ancestor represent in evolutionary biology?

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A common ancestor is an ancestral species from which two or more species have evolved. For example, the common ancestor of alligators and T. rex is represented at Point C in evolutionary diagrams.

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What does natural selection state?

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Natural selection states that the best adapted organisms will live longer and reproduce more than others, leading to the gradual evolution of species.

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What characteristic do all animals to the right of the hagfish have?

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All animals to the right of the hagfish have jaws, which is a significant evolutionary adaptation.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments, often following a major event or change.

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What is divergent evolution?

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Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures.

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What is convergent evolution?

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Convergent evolution is when unrelated species develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental challenges, despite not sharing a recent common ancestor.

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What is the role of genetic mutation in evolution?

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Genetic mutation introduces new variations in a population's gene pool, which can lead to new traits that may be subject to natural selection.

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What is selective breeding?

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Selective breeding is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits, influencing the evolution of domesticated species.