Evolution Introduction

a change in the gene pool over time causing changes in a species

• Gradualism

• Evolution

• Homologous Structures

• Fitness

The transfer of genetic material (alleles) from one population to another through migration.

• Vestigial structures

• Genetic drift

• Gene flow

• biogeography

The random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population due to chance events.

• Punctuated equilibrium

• Gene flow

• Genetic drift

• fitness

A theory of evolution that suggests species experience long periods of stability (stasis) followed by short, rapid bursts of evolutionary change.

• Gradualism

• Vestigial structures

• Punctuated equilibrium

• Allele frequency

A theory of evolution that suggests that species evolve slowly and steadily over long periods of time through small, incremental changes.

• Punctuated equilibrium

• Analogous structures

• Gradualism

• Gene pool

The process by which two or more related species become more different from each other over time, often due to different environmental pressures or ecological roles.

• Convergent Evolution

• Genetic drift

• Natural selection

• Divergent Evolution

The process by which unrelated species independently evolve similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures or ecological niches, even though they do not share a recent common ancestor.

• Divergent evolution

• Fitness

• Biogeography

• Convergent Evolution

The process in which two or more species influence each other's evolution through reciprocal selective pressures. (Predator and prey)

• Fossil record

• Coevolution

• Vestigial structures

• Punctuated equilibrium

Refers to the reduction in genomic variability that occurs when a small group of individuals becomes separated from a larger population. (Amish people separate and only marry within the community)

• Homologous Structures

• Evolution

• Founder effect

• Gradualism

Caused by environmental events and effects a large population and only a few individuals survive

• Biogeography

• Gene pool

• Bottleneck Effect

• Punctuated equilibrium